Quick Indigenous Facts

Terminology is important, but sometimes understanding the distinction among these evolving terms can be challenging. Here is a quick guide to Indigenous terms and their inclusions.

• First Nations: Refers to the Aboriginal or Indigenous peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Metis. There are currently over 630 First Nations communities.


• Metis: A nation of people who identify themselves as Metis, as distinct from First Nations people, Inuit or non-Aboriginal people. The Metis have a unique culture that draws on their diverse ancestral origins both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.


• Inuit: The Aboriginal people of Arctic Canada. Approximately 45,000 Inuit live in 53 communities in the areas of Nunatsiavut (Labrador); Nunavik (Quebec); Nunavut; and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories.


• Indigenous peoples: Cultural or ethnic groups who are Indigenous to a land or region, especially before the arrival of a foreign and/or a possibly dominating culture. Indigenous peoples share a cultural identify that has been shared by their geographical region. Indigenous peoples are generally regarded as the “original inhabitants” of a territory or region.


• Aboriginal peoples: The collective name for the Indigenous peoples of North America and their descendants. The Canadian constitution recognizes three groups of Aboriginal peoples: First Nations, Metis and Inuit. First Nations, Metis and Inuit have unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.


• Campus Cast: What do I say?

What does our Manitoba population look like?
What does our University of Manitoba Aboriginal population look like?