Indigenous People Terminology

Several terms are used to describe the original inhabitants of a land, each with its own connotations and appropriateness depending on context and preference.
"Indigenous" is a broad term referring to the original inhabitants of a land.
"First Nations" is a term used in Canada to refer to Indigenous peoples who are not Métis or Inuit.
"Métis" refers to people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, primarily in Canada.
"Inuit" refers to the Indigenous people of the Arctic regions of North America, with "Inuk" being the singular form and "Inuuk" the dual form.
"Indian" is a term that was historically used to refer to Indigenous peoples in North America, but it is now considered outdated and offensive by some; its use can be complex due to its presence in legal and historical contexts like the Indian Act.
"Aboriginal" is another broad term referring to the original inhabitants of a land, commonly used in Australia and formerly in Canada.
"Native" is a general term referring to people originating from a specific place.

Coloniality

Coloniality refers to the long-standing patterns of power that persist even after the end of formal colonialism.
Coloniality shapes societal mindsets through various mechanisms and is still felt today.
Cognitive imperialism is the imposition of one culture's ways of thinking and knowing on another.
The concept of knowledge as property is a Western concept that contrasts with Indigenous views of knowledge as a shared responsibility.
Coloniality promotes a "natural" order that justifies hierarchies and domination.
Fragmentation and separation divide Indigenous communities and disconnect them from their land and culture.
Manifest Destiny is the belief that settlers are destined to expand their culture and norms, often at the expense of Indigenous peoples.

Terms to Know

Anishinaabe refers to a group of Indigenous peoples located in the Great Lakes region of North America.
Band/Band Council is a governing body for a First Nations community, as defined by the Indian Act.
Blood Quantum is a term for defining Indigenous identity based on the amount of "Indigenous blood" a person possesses, often used to limit rights and recognition.
Citizenship denotes membership in a nation, with varying criteria and implications for rights and responsibilities.
Clan is a kinship group based on common ancestry, important for social organization and identity in many Indigenous cultures.
Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
Colonial Naming is the practice of renaming places with European names, erasing Indigenous place names and asserting colonial control.
First Nations are the Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Métis or Inuit.
Great Spirit is a common term for the supreme being or creator in many Indigenous spiritual traditions.
Haudenosaunee refers to the Confederacy of Six Nations, an alliance of Indigenous nations in the northeastern part of North America.
Algonquin is an Indigenous language spoken in Canada and the United States.
Indian Act is a Canadian federal law that governs First Nations people, land, and resources.
Indigenous refers to the original inhabitants of a particular region or country.
Inuit are the Indigenous people inhabiting the Arctic regions of North America.
Knowledge Keeper is a respected member of a community who possesses traditional knowledge and cultural wisdom.
Land Claims are legal processes by which Indigenous peoples seek recognition of their rights to traditional territories.
Métis are people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, with a distinct culture and identity.
Potlatch is a ceremonial feast practiced by some Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, involving gift-giving and feasting.
Powwow is a social gathering of Indigenous peoples, often involving dance, music, and traditional regalia.
Reserves are areas of land set aside for First Nations people by the Canadian government.
Sacred Medicines are plants and substances used for healing and spiritual purposes in Indigenous cultures.
Self-identification is the process by which individuals identify their own Indigenous identity, often based on ancestry, culture, and community recognition.
Settler refers to a person who has immigrated to an area and established permanent residence, often displacing Indigenous peoples.
Wampum Belts are strings or belts made of beads, used by some Indigenous peoples to record treaties, agreements, and historical events.
Self-governance is the right of Indigenous peoples to govern themselves and make decisions about their own affairs.
Reconciliation is the process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Pass System was a discriminatory policy used in Canada to restrict the movement of Indigenous peoples off reserves.
Oral Stories are traditional narratives passed down through generations, preserving cultural knowledge and history.
Nation is a group of people with a shared culture, language, and territory.
Nation-to-nation relationship is the principle that Indigenous nations and the Canadian government should engage with each other on a basis of mutual respect and recognition.
Bill C-3 is legislation that addresses gender inequality in the Indian Act by allowing more people to gain or regain Indian status.
Numbered Treaties are a series of agreements signed between the Canadian government and First Nations, ceding land in exchange for promises of various benefits.
North-West Resistance was an armed conflict in 1885 between the Métis and their allies and the Canadian government.
Doctrine of Discovery is a legal concept used by European powers to justify the colonization and dispossession of Indigenous peoples.
Forced Relocation is the involuntary displacement of Indigenous peoples from their traditional territories.
Decolonization is the process of dismantling colonial structures and reclaiming Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
94 Calls to Action are recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to address the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation.