First Nations in Canada

First Nations in Canada

First Nations in Canada are groups of Indigenous peoples who are not Inuit or Métis. They traditionally lived south of the tree line and mainly south of the Arctic Circle. Today, there are 634 recognized First Nations groups across Canada, with roughly half located in Ontario and British Columbia.

Under federal employment equity law, First Nations are considered a designated group, along with women, visible minorities, and people with physical or mental disabilities. They have their own separate category in Statistics Canada data.

The cultures of North American Indigenous peoples have existed for thousands of years. Their stories often describe important events from the past. Written records began when European explorers and colonists arrived during the Age of Discovery in the late 15th century. Information from European accounts by trappers, traders, explorers, and missionaries, as well as archeological and anthropological research, helps us understand these ancient cultures and historic peoples.

Terminology

See also: Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982

In Canada, the term First Nations is used to talk about Indigenous groups who are not Inuit or Métis. This name started being used by the government in the 1980s to replace the word "Indian band." People began using it in the 1970s because some found the word "Indian" upsetting.

The word "Indian" came about because European explorers thought they had reached a place called the East Indies, but they had not. In Canada, people usually say "First Nations" instead of "Native Canadian" or "Native American," which is more common in the United States. The term "First Nations" is always written with big letters at the start of each word.

History

First Nations peoples had settled and created trade routes across what is now Canada long ago. Each group developed its own culture and customs.

In the northwest were the Athapaskan-speaking peoples, Slavey, Tłı̨chǫ, Tutchone-speaking peoples, and Tlingit. Along the Pacific coast were the Haida, Tsimshian, Salish, Kwakwakaʼwakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, Nisga'a and Gitxsan. In the plains were the Blackfoot, Kainai, Tsuutʼina and Piikani. In the northern woodlands were the Cree and Chipewyan. Around the Great Lakes were the Anishinaabe, Algonquin, Iroquois and Wyandot. Along the Atlantic coast were the Beothuk, Wolastoqiyik, Innu, Abenaki and Mi'kmaq.

The Blackfoot Confederacy lives in the Great Plains of Montana and Canadian provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.^: 5  The name Blackfoot came from the paint on the bottoms of their leather moccasins.

Aboriginal people in Canada met Europeans long ago, but regular contact started in the 1600s and 1700s. First Nations people traded with Europeans and were friendly. This trade helped groups like the Iroquois Confederation become stronger.

Later, many Indigenous people faced hard times. Diseases from Europe made many people sick. In the 1800s, conditions became worse for Indigenous people in the prairies. The bison they hunted almost disappeared. The building of the Canadian Pacific Railway brought many new settlers to the area. New governments and laws were created that were different from Indigenous traditions.

In more recent times, laws about First Nations in Canada started to change. In 1951, some cultural ceremonies were allowed again. In 1960, First Nations people gained the right to vote in federal elections.

In the early 2000s, agreements were made between the Quebec government, the federal government, and the Cree Nation. In 2006, some First Nations communities had trouble with their drinking water. In 2007, protests happened to draw attention to poverty among First Nations people.

Canadian Crown and First Nations relations

Main article: The Canadian Crown and Indigenous peoples of Canada

The relationship between the Canadian Crown and the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples started a long time ago, when European explorers first met Indigenous people in North America. Over many years, they made treaties with each other. First Nations see these treaties as promises between them and the Crown of Canada, not just the changing governments.

These relationships are connected to the current monarch of Canada. Treaties were made to balance the rights of Indigenous peoples with the rights claimed by the Crown. First Nations believe these agreements were meant to last forever.

Main articles: First Nations government (Canada) and List of First Nations governments

First Nations have their own governments, led by chiefs and councils. These leaders have many important powers, like those of local governments. They take care of things like schools, health, and the environment.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a group that brings together leaders from First Nations across Canada. It works to protect the rights and traditions of First Nations people.

Culture

See also: Mythologies of the indigenous peoples of North America and Classification of indigenous peoples of the Americas

National Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly National Aboriginal Day, on June 21 celebrates the cultures and contributions of Aboriginal peoples of Canada. There are over 600 recognized First Nations governments or bands with unique cultures, languages, art, and music.

Languages

Main article: Spoken languages of Canada § Aboriginal languages

Today, many different languages are spoken by Indigenous people in Canada, most only here. Some of the most spoken include Anishinaabe and Cree; Inuktitut in places like the Northwest Territories and Nunavut; and Mi'kmaq in Eastern Canada. Some Indigenous peoples have lost their original languages.

Art

Main article: Visual arts by indigenous peoples of the Americas

First Nations have created art for thousands of years. Their art styles differ across regions like the Northwest Coast, Plateau, Plains, Eastern Woodlands, Subarctic, and Arctic. Indigenous art often focuses on small, portable items for the body and ceremonies. In the 1950s and 1960s, Indigenous artists began renewing their traditions, and today they work in all kinds of media.

Music

Main article: Indigenous music of Canada

See also: Blackfoot music, Iroquois music, and Kwakwaka'wakw music

First Nations groups each have their own music traditions. Music can be for social events or ceremonies. Social music often includes dance with rattles and drums, while ceremonial music may use vocal songs with percussion. Traditional instruments were made from local materials like gourds, animal horns, birch bark, antlers, wood, and hides. Songs and dances are very important.

Demographics

Further information: List of First Nations peoples and List of Indian reserves in Canada

The number of First Nations people in Canada has grown a lot. In the past, there were fewer people, but now there are many more. In 2021, about 1.8 million Aboriginal people lived in Canada.

First Nations people live all over Canada and have their own special lands called Indian reserves. Some of these reserves are even inside big cities. Their ancestors had different ways of living, like fishing, hunting, or farming. Today, these traditions still influence their lives.

Contemporary issues

First Nations peoples in Canada face many challenges. They often have more unemployment, health problems, and poverty than other Canadians. Many live in conditions similar to those in developing countries.

Historically, schools that separated children from their families caused lasting harm. This has contributed to social problems in some communities today. Many First Nations people also struggle with health issues like diabetes. Life expectancy for First Nations people is shorter than for other Canadians, partly because of these ongoing challenges.

Some communities also face issues with unsafe drinking water. Many First Nations have not signed treaties with the government and are working to resolve past grievances. There have also been reports of missing and murdered Indigenous women, highlighting the need for better safety and support for all Indigenous communities.