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Aboriginals First Nations |
First Nations is a Canadian term of ethnicity which refers to the aboriginal peoples located in what is now Canada, and their descendants who are neither Inuit nor Métis. Collectively, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples are known as Aboriginal peoples, First peoples, or Indigenous peoples, bands, or nations. A national representative body of the First Nations in Canada is the Assembly of First Nations.
First Nations people in Canada have been referred to as Indians, Native-Canadians, Aboriginal peoples, and Amerindians, Autochthones (a term used by French-Canadians). They are known officially by the Government of Canada as registered Indians if they are entitled to benefits under the Indian Act. The use of the word Native-Americans is not common in Canada, as "Native-Americans" refers to the Aboriginal peoples of the United States specifically.
In the 20th century the First Nations population of Canada increased 10 times. Between 1900 and 1950 the population grew only by 29% but after the 1960’s the infant mortality level on reserves dropped dramatically and the population grew by 161%. Since the 1980’s the number of First Nations babies more then doubled and currently almost half of the First Nations population is under the age of 25. As a result the First Nations population of Canada is expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades.
Today's political organizations are largely the byproduct of interaction with European-style methods of government. As well, First Nations political organizations are spread throughout Canada, and vary in political standing, viewpoints, and reasons for forming. Most First Nations political organizations arise from the need to be united and to have their opinions heard. First Nations negotiate with the Canadian Government through Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in all affairs concerning land, entitlement, and rights.
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