- Definition
Métis scrip was like a coupon the government gave to Métis families. They could trade it for a piece of land or some money, but it was really a way to move them off their traditional lands.
A Métis family might receive a scrip certificate for 240 acres of land, but the land was often far from their community or of poor quality.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Métis scrip was like being given a coupon for a new house far away, but the catch was you had to give up your family's home and community forever.
Ask your child: If you were offered money to leave your home, what would you have to consider?
Common mix-up: Many people think scrip was a fair trade for land. The system was designed to be confusing and difficult, often resulting in Métis families losing both their land and the scrip's value.
Examples
- A family might choose the money option, but the payment was often delayed or less than the land's actual worth.
- Land speculators often followed scrip commissions, buying the certificates from Métis families for a fraction of their value.
Métis scrip is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
