The Indigenous peoples of Canada include all First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals and communities who inhabit this country. Here’s an overview of the differences between these three designations.
• First Nations. This term is used to describe Indigenous peoples who are ethnically neither Inuit nor Métis. It became common during the 1970s as an alternative to the outdated term Indian. It’s used to refer to people who have official status under the Indian Act of Canada as well as people without status who identify as belonging to a First Nation. Whenever possible, you should use the name of the specific nation in question rather than simply saying First Nations or Indigenous.
• Inuit. Inuit means “people” in the Inuktitut language and is used to refer to the Indigenous peoples that live in the Arctic regions of Canada. The term Eskimo is no longer used and is considered offensive in some cases.
• Métis. This term refers to people of mixed ancestry who developed their own traditions, cultures and languages distinct from those of their Indigenous and European ancestors. Most Métis populations are historically located in the Prairies, especially along the Red River in Manitoba. This term should only be used to refer to people who identify as Métis and not for all people of both Indigenous and European descent.
When writing or talking about Indigenous peoples, try to use the correct terminology. Remember that certain words, like Indian and native, evoke Canada’s colonial past and were originally imposed on the First Nations, Métis and Inuit without regard for the names these groups used for themselves. It’s important that Indigenous peoples now have the chance to choose the terms that are used to identify them.
