TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

INDIGENOUS PERSON [1 record]

Record 1 2024-04-04

English

Subject field(s)
  • Indigenous Peoples (General)
DEF

A person who belongs to one of the three Indigenous Peoples in Canada, namely, First Nations, Inuit or Métis.

OBS

In the Canadian government, to align with international usage, the term "Indigenous person" should be used instead of "Aboriginal person" to refer to a First Nations member, an Inuit or a Métis person.

OBS

The adjectives "Indigenous" and "Aboriginal" should be capitalized when referring to Indigenous identity in the same way adjectives such as "English" or "French" are capitalized.

OBS

The plural form "Indigenous people" is used to refer to a group of people who identify as Indigenous in a context where their specific identities are not at issue.

OBS

Some Indigenous people in Canada may choose to refer to themselves as "a Native person" or "a Native"; however, the use of these terms by non-Indigenous people is seen as derogatory.

OBS

The term "Aboriginal" used as a noun can be offensive and should be avoided.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Peuples Autochtones (Généralités)
DEF

Personne appartenant à l'un des trois peuples autochtones au Canada, soit les Premières Nations, les Inuit ou les Métis.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Pueblos indígenas (Generalidades)
OBS

En Canadá, este término comprende a los indígenas, métis e inuits.

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