Indigenous Peoples - Quebec
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.
Of note, when searching census records for indigenous peoples, please be aware that the term “Indian” is sometimes used as a racial descriptor in the “racial origin” columns. You can also do a broad search using location and “Indian” in either keyword or race search boxes. When the head of household was white but his wife was not, often times the entire family’s racial origin would be classified as white.
See page 7-1 of our guide Canadian Family History Resources: for more information on how to search census records for First Nations information.
Métis or Half-breed Scrip: Land Records, Half-breeds & Original White Settlers 1870-1920.
“Scrip” refers to a system used by the Canadian government beginning in 1870, of issuing certificates for land claims made by mixed-race people and original white settlers, for property released from the Hudson’s Bay Company’s jurisdiction in the West.
Online
- Québec First Nations band contact list
- Métis National Council
- Québec Métis Nation
- Québec Archives
- This Wikipedia article contains information about native groups in Quebec
Local history books can be useful for this topic, for example:
Old Quebec: the Fortress of New France Parker, Gilbert. London: MacMillan & Co., 1903 971.4 PAR
Microfilm
Section 7 of the library’s Canadian Family History Resources: describes the microfilms that we have at Cloverdale for Métis scrip records. Ask the information staff for assistance.