Confrontations between the Discourse, the Current Situation and Traditions
Metis are organized in associations which defend their interests at the federal and provincial levels. These associations’ discourses proclaim that the Aboriginal societies are traditionally egalitarian and that women are glorified because of their motherhood. Are the Métis women heard on the Aboriginal political scene, or else what is the goal of these discourses ? This analysis is funded on the concepts of agency, symbolical violence and gender roles. The research is also based on a fieldwork in Winnipeg and interviews submitted to a qualitative content analysis. Through this theoretical and methodological framework, I realize that the Aboriginal societies were not actually egalitarian, because they attributed well defined gender roles and it was not possible to change them. The speech on the valorization of women stipulates that Aboriginal mothers are responsible of their community. Finally, these discourses constitute a way to hide gender-based discriminations and to control women without using either force or authority. This article is questioning the egalitarian character of Aboriginal societies.