What is the difference between aboriginal and indigenous

This episode could have been avoided with an effort to review the sensitive nature of terms related to ethnic and cultural identity. These are three distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

The only recognized groups are the Inuit and First Nations. However, the term Aboriginal is still used and accepted. Despite it being blatantly incorrect it became the de facto collective noun. Usage of the word Indian in Canada is decreasing due to its incorrect origin and connections to colonizer policies and departments such as the Indian Act , the Indian Department precursor to INAC , Indian Agent, Indian residential schools etc.

Some communities continue to use Indian in their tribal name - Osoyoos Indian Band is an example. Some individuals still refer to themselves as Indians, but in terms of a collective noun it is rarely used.

If you are interested in learning more about terminology, here's a free eBook: Indigenous Peoples: A Guide to Terminology. This distinction was made legal in when the Constitution Act came into being.

Section 35 2 of the Act states:. And now the federal government has moved to embrace Indigenous and all of its legal ramifications. By recognizing First Nations, Inuit and Metis as Indigenous Peoples, the government is acknowledging their internationally legal right to offer or withhold consent to development under the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples , which Canada endorsed with conditions under then Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

On a personal note, we are following suit. We have been changing the titles of our courses to Indigenous Awareness, editing our content and eBooks, and changing our website url. We also receive questions on whether it is correct to use upper or lower case for Indigenous etc. I really appreciate the question and the motive behind the question — to respect Indigenous Peoples by using the correct terminology. A collective noun for the original inhabitants of Canada has been a challenge ever since Christopher Columbus arrived in Believing he had landed in India, it followed that the existing population would be referred to as "Indians.

Usage of the word Indian in Canada is decreasing due to its incorrect origin and connections to colonizer policies and departments such as the Indian Act, the Indian Department precursor to Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada , Indian Agent, Indian residential schools etc.

Some communities continue to use Indian in their tribal name — Osoyoos Indian Band is an example. Some individuals still refer to themselves as Indians, but in terms of a collective noun, it is rarely used.

This distinction was made legal in when the Constitution Act came into being.