First Nations

First Nations is a term of ethnicity used in Canada that has widely replaced the use of the word "Indian". It refers to the Indigenous peoples of North America located in what is now Canada, and their descendants, who are not Inuit or Métis. The proper terms to refer to the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis collectively is Aboriginal peoples in Canada or First peoples or Indigenous peoples, tribes, or nations. A national representative body of the "First Nations" people in Canada is the Assembly of First Nations.

Related Topics:
Ethnicity - Canada - Indigenous peoples - North America - Inuit - Métis - Aboriginal peoples in Canada - Assembly of First Nations

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First Nations people have been referred to as Indians, Native Americans, Native Canadians, Aboriginal Americans, Amerindians, and Aboriginals. They are known officially by the Government of Canada as registered Indians if they are entitled to benefits under the Indian Act.

Related Topics:
Native Americans - Government of Canada - Indian Act

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Under the Royal Proclamation of 1763, the document many Indigenous people refer to as their "Magna Carta", the Crown refers to the Indigenous people in British territory as "Tribes or Nations".

Related Topics:
Royal Proclamation of 1763 - Magna Carta

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A more common term is status Indian (from treaty status), with non-status Indian designating a member of a First Nation who is not entitled to benefits. The use of the word "Indian" in day-to-day language is erratic in Canada, with some seeing the term as offensive while others prefer it to alternate terminology such as "Aboriginal". All members of First Nations who are entitled to benefits are entered in the Indian Register, which serves as the official record of members of First Nations. Administration of the Indian Act and Indian Register is carried out by the federal government's Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

Related Topics:
Indian Register - Department of Indian and Northern Affairs

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