Language of the Day: Indigenous peoples of Canada

June is National Indigenous History month, so let’s take this chance to learn about the three main groups of indigenous peoples in Canada and the vocabulary used to describe these communities.

The word “indigenous” is refers to all the original peoples of North America and their descendants, who have occupied this land since time immemorial. Indigenous people have unique languages, cultures, and traditions distinct from the settler societies who displaced them.

In Canada, there are 3 main groups of Indigenous peoples. These are 3 distinct groups with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs, and each group has much variety within it as well.

Today, our vocabulary lesson will focus on the names of these three main groups and who these names refer to.

  • First Nations: This is largest of the three recognized groups of indigenous people in Canada. There are over 630 First Nations communities in Canada, which represent more than 50 Nations and 50 Indigenous languages.

    Here, in what is today called Metro Vancouver, we live within the traditional territories of 10 local First Nations:

    • q̓ic̓əy̓​​ (Katzie)

    • ​q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen)

    • ​kʷikʷəƛ̓əm​ (Kwikwetlem)

    • máthxwi (Matsqui)

    • xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

    • qiqéyt (Qayqayt)

    • Semiahmoo

    • Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish)

    • scəw̓​aθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen)

    • səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)​​

  • Inuit: Inuit are Indigenous people of the Arctic. The word Inuit means "the people" in the Inuit language of Inuktut. The singular of Inuit is Inuk.

    Many Inuit in Canada live in the north region of Canada, which they call “Inuit Nunangat”, which means "the place where Inuit live."

    Inuit Nunangat is comprised of 4 regions:

    • Inuvialuit (aka Northwest Territories and Yukon)

    • Nunavik (aka Northern Quebec)

    • Nunatsiavut (aka Labrador)

    • and Nunavut

  • Métis: The Métis are descendants of First Nations and Europeans, and were historically involved in the fur trade. The Métis are a distinct people with their own culture, traditions, and way of life, different from both First Nations and European communities. 

    Métis communities originally developed along waterways and around the Great Lakes region. Today, the Métis population is diverse, with communities found across Canada, each with its unique traditions and cultural practices.

    Michif, the Métis language, is a unique language with regional dialects, but is currently considered a critically endangered language as there are very few fluent speakers today. Efforts to revitalize this language and teach it to more young people today are being undetaken across Canada in Métis communities.

    The Métis are a vital part of Canada's history and continue to play an important role in shaping the country's cultural landscape. 

Zach J