Northern Saskatchewan musician Derek Maurice says he is being called racist and even threatened with violence on social media over the lyrics to his song “We’re Métis.”
The song is a collaborative effort between Maurice and Dean Gauthier.
He says some people have taken serious offense to the song that highlights the benefits status First Nations people receive that the Métis in turn do not.
Maurice says he never anticipated the negative backlash to a song he claims is nothing more than a positive statement on Métis pride.
“Pretty much taken aback because through Facebook people are writing to me asking the questions and asking me to dissect,” he says. “And I didn’t think I really had to do that until I became threatened with violence and then I figured I would have to explain myself better.”
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, “We don’t get five dollars because we’re Métis,” which is a direct reference to the $5 status First Nations people traditionally receive as part of treaty day festivities.
Song lyrics also say, “We pay our taxes on our very own. We pay on cigarettes, gasoline and all of the clothes we’ve worn. But the one thing killing me, is how nothing comes out as cheap, like my status brother where’s the treaty days for me?”
MBC has also received complaints about “We’re Métis.”
A Facebook message received by the network states, “Why would you play this? I mean we status people pay taxes and what the heck can you buy for $5 we have rights to? This song is discriminatory. I don’t believe we need to hear how much we are disliked.”
Another says, “The song ‘We’re Métis’ is marginalizing, discriminating and causing further distance amongst the Indigenous population. We need to promote equality, acceptance and recognition of the rights of our people in this society. I am First Nations and I do pay taxes. The $5 ritual is symbolic and recognition of our treaty rights we have established with the government. With our youth in education, we are expected to further equal recognition of Metis and First Nations people. I find this song offensive because it goes against the educational ideals and TRC recommendations.”
Nevertheless, Maurice says he really can’t understand the controversy the song is generating in some quarters.
He says he wrote “We’re Métis” for the Back to Batoche Festival and characterizes the song as a “wake up call” to all Canadians to recognize the rights Métis people have under the Constitution.
“Well my purpose and intentions were to restore, revitalize, Métis pride among our Métis nation. It’s in essence a wakeup call. We as Métis people are now recognized under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution where we have the same rights as Inuit and status (First Nations) people.”
Maurice also says as a person with First Nation ancestry himself, he doesn’t believe it is possible to be racist against his own people.
His partner is also First Nations.
In terms of listenership, “We’re Métis” is currently one of the most popular songs on the MBC playlist.
It recently reached number three on the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Top 5 and is a regular request during music programming.
Maurice, who hails from Beauval, says he has no regrets in writing the song and no plans to withdraw it.
(PHOTO: Derek Maurice performing. Photo courtesy Derek Maurice Facebook page.)