Aboriginal Peoples: First Nations, Inuit and Métis

Aboriginal peoples have lived on the land now called Canada for thousands of years — long before European explorers ever reached North American shores. Their histories, cultures and rights are woven into the fabric of Canadian society and are formally recognised in the Canadian Constitution. Understanding who Aboriginal peoples are, what they have experienced, and where they stand today is a core part of understanding Canada.

The First Peoples of Canada

The ancestors of Aboriginal peoples are believed to have migrated from Asia many thousands of years ago. By the time European explorers arrived, diverse and vibrant First Nations A term that came into use in the 1970s to refer to the Aboriginal peoples of Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. It replaced the term 'Indian' in common usage. cultures were already well established across the continent — each with its own languages, governance systems and spiritual traditions rooted in their relationship to the Creator, the natural environment and one another.

Aboriginal and treaty rights are protected in the Canadian Constitution. The earliest formal recognition of territorial rights came through the Royal Proclamation of 1763 A proclamation by King George III that recognised Aboriginal land rights and established the framework for negotiating treaties between the Crown and Aboriginal peoples. , issued by King George III, which established the basis for negotiating treaties with newcomers. Those treaties, however, were not always fully respected.

Residential Schools and the Formal Apology

From the 1800s until the 1980s, the federal government placed many Aboriginal children in residential schools Government-funded, church-run schools to which Aboriginal children were sent — often against their families' wishes — with the goal of educating and assimilating them into mainstream Canadian culture. . These schools were poorly funded and caused serious hardship to their students. Some children suffered physical abuse. Aboriginal languages and cultural practices were largely prohibited within their walls.

In 2008, the federal government in Ottawa formally apologised to former students for this policy and its lasting harm.

The Three Distinct Groups

Today, the term Aboriginal peoples A collective term used in Canada to refer to the original inhabitants of the land, encompassing three distinct groups: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. refers to three distinct groups, each with its own identity, history and way of life.

First Nations

The term “Indian” was historically used to refer to all Aboriginal people who are not Inuit or Métis. In the 1970s, the term First Nations came into broader use and is now preferred. Today, approximately half of First Nations people live on reserve land Land set aside under Canadian law and treaty for the use and benefit of First Nations communities. across roughly 600 communities, while the other half live off-reserve — mainly in urban centres.

First Nations people make up about 65% of Canada’s total Aboriginal population.

Inuit

The Inuit Aboriginal peoples of the Canadian Arctic, whose name means 'the people' in the Inuktitut language. They are distinct from First Nations and Métis. — a word meaning “the people” in the Inuktitut The language spoken by the Inuit people across the Arctic regions of Canada. language — live in small, scattered communities across the Arctic. Their profound knowledge of the land, sea and wildlife allowed them to adapt and thrive in one of the most demanding environments on earth. Inuit make up approximately 4% of Canada’s Aboriginal population.

Métis

The Métis A distinct Aboriginal people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry, the majority of whom live in the Prairie provinces of Canada. are a people of mixed Aboriginal and European heritage. The majority live in the Prairie provinces, and they come from both French- and English-speaking backgrounds. The Métis speak their own dialect, called Michif The distinct language spoken by the Métis people, blending elements of French and Indigenous languages. . They make up approximately 30% of Canada’s Aboriginal population.

Aboriginal Peoples in Canada Today

Today’s Aboriginal peoples carry a renewed sense of pride and confidence in their identities. They have made significant contributions to Canadian life across areas including agriculture, environmental stewardship, business and the arts.