Indigenous People - Manitoba
Please refer also to our separate Indigenous / Métis genealogy research guide for more resources for researching Indigenous ancestors.
First Nations, Inuit, Métis are collectively referred to as Indigenous peoples.
An important note on bias and colonial records language in historical records:
Language in historical records reflects the culture of the times in which they were written. As such, you will see terms we would not use today such as “Indian”, “Native”, and racial slurs such as “Half-Breed,” used for Indigenous peoples, “Racial Origins” used for heritage, and “white” for Caucasian people. While we strive to develop new relationships with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of their rights, respect, and cooperation, family historians will need to look for and use these types of historical terms when searching historical records.
Census Records
Census records may be a good starting point as “racial origins” are often noted on the census, as well as household members, place of birth and birthdates. Determining the geographical location could also lead you to a band name.
Cloverdale Library owns microfilm number T-6554 covering the 1901 Native census returns for a number of provinces, including Manitoba. The Berens River Indian Agency is enumerated on this microfilm.
See page 7-1 of Canadian Family History Resources: A Guide to the Materials Held at Cloverdale Library for more information on how to search census records for Indigenous Peoples information.
Online
- Native American Tribes of Manitoba
- Indian Tribes of Manitoba
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
- Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.
Below are some examples of books in our collection that pertain to indigenous people in Manitoba:
Ward. Donald B. The people: A Historical guide to the First Nations of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Library call number: 971.200497 WAR 1995
Morin, Gail. Company Men. [A series of over 30 volumes of genealogies of men who worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company, many of whom married indigenous women.] Library call number: 929.37127 MOR 2017
Sprague, D.N. The Genealogy of the First Metis Nation: the development and dispersal of the Red River Settlement, 1820–1900. (Winnipeg, 1983). Library call number 971.37127 SPR 1983
Titley, E. Brian. The Indian Commissioners: agents of the state and Indian policy in Canada’s Prairie West, 1873 – 1932. (Edmonton, 2009). Library call number 971.2020922 TIT 2009