Aboriginal Resources and Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What terms should be used to describe or refer to Aboriginal peoples?

There is sometimes confusion about which words are used to describe Aboriginal peoples; some terms can cause offense or may have become outdated. You may wish to consult the various national, provincial or territorial Aboriginal organizations or their affiliates for authoritative sources of terminology respecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

For more information, see:

Aboriginal Canada Portal
www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/acp/site.nsf/en-frames/index.html

Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ch/rcap/index_f.html

A terminology guide prepared by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada called Words First: An Evolving Terminology Relating to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ap/pubs/wf/wf-eng.pdf

An earlier print version, called Words First: An Evolving Terminology Relating to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada, appeared in 2001.