Definitions

Indigenous peoples in Canada are referred to by several different terms. Following are legal terms used currently, and in the recent past. There are many other terms, but many of them are derogatory and will not be listed here.

Indigenous Peoples in Canada refers to the three distinct Indigenous groups in Canada: First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

First Nations are groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada, distinct from the Inuit and Métis.  Traditionally, the First Nations were peoples who lived south of the tree line, and mainly south of the Arctic Circle. According to the 2016 census by Statistics Canada, 977 230 people in Canada identified as being of First Nations heritage. There are 634 First Nations governments or bands in Canada, with approximately one-third of them located in British Columbia. These First Nations speak over 50 distinct languages.

Métis refers to the Métis people in Canada, specific cultural communities who trace their descent to First Nations and European settlers, primarily the French, in the early decades of the colonization of Canada. According to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Métis were historically the children of French fur traders and Nehiyaw women of western and western-central Canada. Over time, a distinct Métis culture developed and strengthened. In Canada, the population is 587 545 (as of the same census). A majority of the Métis once spoke, and many still speak, either Métis French or an Indigenous language such as Mi'kmaq, Cree, Anishinaabemowin, or Denésoliné. A few in some regions spoke a mixed language called Michif which is composed of Plains Cree verbs and French nouns.

Inuit refers to a group of culturally similar Indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska. As of the 2016 Canadian census, there were 65 025 people identifying as Inuit living in Canada. There are approximately eight languages spoken, as well as Inuit sign language, which is a critically endangered language isolate used in Nunavut.

Indian is an admittedly outdated term that continues to be used in some legal and historical contexts as a reference to Indigenous people. For example, the Indian residential schools are referred to as such because the term "Indigenous" was not broadly in use during the residential schools' operation. 

Status Indian, also sometimes called a registered Indian, refers to First Nations peoples with proven lineage and enough "blood quantum" to receive certain rights and benefits not available to non-status Indians, Métis, Inuit, or others. These rights and benefits include potential access to on-reserve housing, education, and exemptions from federal, provincial, and territorial taxes in specific situations. There continues to be significant controversy surrounding the use of "blood quantum," and the ways in which the Indian Act gatekeeps "status."

Native American, Native Indian, and Native originate as terms more commonly used in the United States of America as Native American, and shortened to Native Indian and then Native. This term is still often used by Indigenous people amongst themselves, but may be incorrect in use by others unless a person or community specifically indicates that they prefer to be identified using one of these terms.

Appropriation of Indigenous culture is the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc., of Indigenous culture by members of another and typically more dominant people or society. For example, when non-Indigenous people wear headdresses to concerts or Indigenous-presenting costumes at Halloween, they are appropriating Indigenous culture for their own pleasure. Another example would be when non-Indigenous people copy Indigenous art, carvings, jewelry, clothing, etc., for profit while Indigenous artists suffer.

Please refer to the linked resources for more information. 

• Cultural appropriation 

• Article from The Discourse: Fake art hurts Indigenous artists as appropriators profit (2018)

• Article from Indigenous Training Inc.: Why Cultural Appropriation is Disrespectful (2020)

Elders

Indigenous people refer to their members who are 65 years old and over as elders, and in some communities the members 55 - 64 years old are considered a junior elder. 

Prior to colonization, Indigenous people used the title of Elder for those who had earned the respect of their community because of their cultural and historical knowledge, traditional teachings and ceremonies, wisdom and values, connection to nature, and the way they conducted themselves. An Elder lives what they teach and are generally non-judgmental, unless the situation requires them to mediate. Elders are respected individuals who are living connections to the past and provide wisdom for their communities to survive and thrive today and in the future. An Elder may also hold the title of Knowledge Keeper.

Many elders today live with the trauma of colonization from such events as attending Indian Residential School or being part of the Sixties Scoop, just to name a few. Many were forced to stop speaking their language or practice their customs or faced severe punishments. Many still do not know their language or their customs or they choose to not speak of them due to previous conditioning not to. Out of respect for all they have endured, the title elder is often used regardless of the knowledge or wisdom carried or shared or how they conduct themselves. We honour the journey they’ve been on and the journey they still have left to complete.

When an Elder is invited to open an event or ceremony, it is generally because their community has chosen them to be their representative, as that Elder has proven themselves to be an example of respect, knowledge, and wisdom.

Knowledge Keepers

Knowledge Keepers (or traditional knowledge keepers) are individuals who hold and share their knowledge relating to culture, traditions, ceremonies, relationships. Knowledge often comes from Elders, as they are the ones who carry their community’s cultural and historical knowledge, traditional teachings and ceremonies, wisdom and values, connection to nature, etc. Sharing may be done in the form of storytelling, artwork, regalia, music, dance, work with nature, weavings, activism, etc.

A Knowledge Keeper does not have to be an Elder. Many young people are rising up to reclaim their language, culture, and customs to begin the rebuilding of their individual people and communities as a whole.

Aunties and Uncles

Many Indigenous people use the term of endearment “aunty” or “uncle” for a person older than them, who they esteem for their wisdom and guidance.

A longhouse or bighouse was the basic type of  house pre-contact, which sheltered a number of families related through the maternal line. In the 1700s, European-style single-family houses gradually replaced longhouses as primary residences. Longhouses continue to be used for conducting sacred ceremonies, political meetings and various community gatherings.

Please refer to the linked resources for more information.

• Indigenous Longhouses 

A pow wow (sometimes spelled "powwow" or "pow-wow") is a sacred social gathering held by many Indigenous communities across Canada. A pow wow is a special event for Indigenous people to gather, dance, sing, eat, socialize, and honor their cultures. There is usually a dancing competition, with many types of traditional dances. Pow wows vary in length from a one-day event, to major pow wows called for a special occasion which can last a week.

In popular culture, the word has sometimes been used as slang to refer to any type of important meeting. This is a disrespectful use of the word, especially as it is rarely used to describe an actual sacred gathering of Indigenous peoples. 

Smudging is a cultural ceremony practiced by a wide variety of Indigenous peoples in Canada and other parts of the world. Although practices differ, smudging is used for medicinal and practical purposes as well as for spiritual ceremonies. The practice generally involves prayer and the burning of sacred medicines, such as sweetgrass, cedar, sage, and tobacco. While colonization has repressed such traditions, the practice of smudging has survived to the present day. Smudging is considered a sacred practice by Indigenous people. Similar practices are observed by other peoples — however, they don't use the term "smudging," but rather use "smoke clearing," or "clearing," etc., to avoid appropriation of Indigenous culture.

Please refer to the linked resources for more information.

• Smudging

The Sun Dance (sometimes also spelled "Sundance") is an annual Plains Indigenous cultural ceremony performed in honour of the sun, during which participants prove bravery by overcoming pain. Historically, the ceremony took place at midsummer, when bands congregated at a predetermined location. The Sun Dance was forbidden under the Indian Act, but this ban was generally ignored and dropped from the Act in 1951. Some communities continue to celebrate the ceremony today. 

Please refer to the linked resources for more information.

• Sundance