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 governments or bands across Canada, with roughly half located in the provinces of 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 oral traditions often describe important historical events, like the Cascadia earthquake of 1700 and the 18th-century Tseax Cone eruption. 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 established trade routes across what is now Canada by 500 BCE – 1,000 CE. Each community developed its own culture, customs, and character. 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 resides in the Great Plains of Montana and Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.^: 5  The name Blackfoot came from the dye or paint on the bottoms of their leather moccasins. They had migrated onto the Great Plains from the area of now eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

Aboriginal people in Canada interacted with Europeans as far back as 1000 AD, but prolonged contact came only after Europeans established permanent settlements in the 17th and 18th centuries. European written accounts noted friendliness on the part of the First Nations, who profited in trade with Europeans. Such trade strengthened the more organized political entities such as the Iroquois Confederation. The effect of European colonization was a decrease in the Aboriginal population due to various factors, including repeated outbreaks of European infectious diseases to which they had not developed immunity.

In the 19th century, living conditions for Indigenous people in the prairie regions deteriorated quickly. Settlers and hunters of European descent contributed to hunting the North American bison almost to extinction, and the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway brought large numbers of European settlers west who encroached on Indigenous territory. European Canadians established governments, police forces, and courts of law with different foundations from indigenous practices. Various epidemics continued to devastate Indigenous communities.

In the late 20th century, laws concerning First Nations in Canada began to change. The federal prohibition of certain cultural ceremonies ended in 1951. Provincial governments began to accept the right of Indigenous people to vote. In 1960, First Nations people received the right to vote in federal elections without forfeiting their Indian status.

In the early 21st century, agreements were made between the Quebec government, the federal government, and the Cree Nation. In 2006, many First Nations communities faced serious issues with their drinking water. In 2007, countrywide protests took place to address 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 goes back a long time, starting from when European explorers first met Indigenous people in North America. Over many years, they made treaties with each other. First Nations view these treaties as promises between them and the Crown of Canada, not just the changing governments.

These relationships are tied 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. There is some worry that having so much power in one group can cause problems.

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 distinctive 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. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, laws stopped many cultural practices. 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 and were once not allowed by laws.

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 over time. In the past, there were fewer people, but today there are many more. In 2021, about 1.8 million Aboriginal people lived in Canada, making up 5% of the country's population.

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 depending on where they lived, like fishing, hunting, or farming. Even today, these traditions still influence their lives.

Contemporary issues

First Nations peoples in Canada face many challenges. They often have higher rates of unemployment, health problems, and poverty compared to other Canadians. Many also 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 substance use and 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 many reports of missing and murdered Indigenous women, highlighting the need for better safety and support for all Indigenous communities.