Truth and Reconciliation: Language, Terminology, & Citations

This is an introduction to terms that may appear in this guide and its linked resources, as well as in library materials.

Aboriginal -- "Aboriginal" a broad term used to refer to Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. 

First nations -- "First Nation" or "First Nations" is a Canadian term used to describe a segment of Indigenous Peoples of Canada who are ethnically neither Métis or Inuit. When used as the singular "First nation," the term can refer to a specific community or group in a larger nation (e.g. Westbank First nation, part of Okanagan Nation).

Inuit/Inuk -- "Inuit" refers to specific groups of people living in the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland, and Siberia. "Inuk" should be used to refer to a single individual.

Métis --  "Métis," while containing multiple meanings, can be used as an umbrella term to refer to the Indigenous People who resulted from unions between Aboriginal and European people in Canada.

Indian -- "Indian" is the legal term for a First nations person who is registered under the Indian Act. The term should only used in its legal context as it is considered offensive and outdated.

Indigenous -- "Indigenous" is a collective term used for a variety of Aboriginal groups, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It is most frequently used in an "international, transnational, or global context. . .to refer broadly to peoples of long settlement and connection to specific lands who have been adversely affected by incursions by industrial economies, displacement, and settlement of their traditional territories by others" (Indigenous Foundations, 2009, para. 15)

Native -- "Native" is a general term that refers to a person or a thing from a particular place, and, due to its broader definition, has been replaced by "Aboriginal" or "Indigenous" in Canada.

The above is adapted by Emily Kroeker from the work done by both Gregory Younging (2018) and Indigenous Foundations (2009) at the University of British Columbia.

Decolonization: Within Canada this term is often associated with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its Calls to Action. More specifically it is related to "Indigenous people reclaiming and restoring their culture, land, language, relationships, health, etc., both independent of and with the support of non-Indigenous people" (Queen's University, n.d., para. 2).

Settler: Settler refers to people who are non-Indigenous, and whose "ancestors came and settled in a land that had been inhabited by Indigenous people." This term is not intended as offensive or derogatory, although the term can been interpreted by some as such (Eidinger & York-Bertram, 2019, p.4). 

Turtle Island: "For some Indigenous peoples, Turtle Island refers to the continent of North America. The name comes from various Indigenous oral histories that tell stories of a turtle that holds the world on its back" (Robinson, 2018, para. 1).

Eidinger, A., & York-Bertram, S. (2019). Imagining a better future: An introduction to teaching and learning about settler colonialism in Canada. In, A. Eidinger & McCracken, K (Eds.), Beyond the Lecture: Innovations in Teaching Canadian History. Active History.  https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/beyondlecture/chapter/imagining-a-better-future-an-introduction-to-teaching-and-learning-about-settler-colonialism-in-canada/

Indigenous Foundations. (2009). Terminology. https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/terminology/

Queens University. (n.d.). What is decolonization? What is Indigenization? https://www.queensu.ca/ctl/resources/decolonizing-and-indigenizing/what-decolonization-what-indigenization

Robinson, A. (2018). Turtle Island. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/turtle-island

Younging, G. (2018). Elements of Indigenous styles: A guide for writing by and about Indigenous Peoples. Brush Education.