Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Indigenous Peoples in Canada: Indigenous Peoples are the collective name of the people who are the descendants of North American people who live in Canada. They are also known as the “Aboriginal People” and are divided into three distinct groups including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. According to the 2021 census, more than 1.8 million people identify themselves as Indigenous person in the Dominion of Canada which accounts for 5 % of the total population of the country.

In this article, we are going to have a discussion about the Indigenous Peoples in Canada in detail.

Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Indigenous peoples in Canada are increasing rapidly, by about 9.4% from 2016 to 2021. They are also the youngest group, with around 28% of them being under 25 years old in 2021. Here is the detailed table as mentioned below:

List of First Nations and Band Governments

First Nations means Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Inuit or Métis. They generally lived below the tree line and mainly south of the Arctic Circle. Canada has 634 recognized First Nations governments or groups. About half of them are in Ontario and British Columbia.

First Nation/Band Government	Location	Description	Population Count
Tsleil-Waututh Nation	British Columbia	Indigenous community known for environmental activism.	500
Haida Nation	British Columbia	Indigenous group renowned for their art and culture.	4,700
Nisga’a Nation	British Columbia	Indigenous group with a unique governance structure.	7,000
Squamish Nation	British Columbia	Indigenous community with strong cultural and economic initiatives.	4,000
Musqueam Indian Band	British Columbia	Urban Indigenous community with deep roots in Vancouver.	1,300
Stó:lō Nation	British Columbia	Collective of Indigenous communities along the Fraser River.	11,000
Sechelt Nation	British Columbia	Coastal Indigenous community known for language efforts.	2,300
Cowichan Tribes	British Columbia	Largest Indigenous band in British Columbia.	4,900
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc	British Columbia	Indigenous community offering various cultural programs.	1,200
Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte	Ontario	Mohawk community in southeastern Ontario focused on development.	9,000
Mohawks of Akwesasne	Ontario/Quebec/New York	Cross-border Mohawk community known for sovereignty struggles.	12,000
Six Nations of the Grand River	Ontario	Largest Indigenous reserve in Canada, home to six nations.	27,000
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation	Ontario	Indigenous community with a rich history in Toronto area.	2,400
Chippewas of Rama First Nation	Ontario	Ojibwe community known for economic ventures.	1,500
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation	Ontario	Ojibwe community with focus on language and culture.	2,300
Curve Lake First Nation	Ontario	Indigenous community with focus on cultural preservation.	2,700
Alderville First Nation	Ontario	Indigenous community known for cultural events.	300
Oneida Nation of the Thames	Ontario	Oneida community focused on language and culture.	2,200
Walpole Island First Nation	Ontario	Multi-ethnic community with unique history and culture.	2,500
Siksika Nation	Alberta	Blackfoot community known for cultural preservation.	8,300
Tsuu T’ina Nation	Alberta	Blackfoot community with economic ventures near Calgary.	2,200
Blood Tribe	Alberta	Largest Indigenous group in Canada with strong cultural identity.	13,000
Piikani Nation	Alberta	Member of the Blackfoot Confederacy focused on education.	3,600
Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation	Alberta	Sioux community known for cultural events.	1,900
Paul First Nation	Alberta	Cree community with various economic and social projects.	1,900
Beaver Lake Cree Nation	Alberta	Cree community involved in legal battles over land rights.	900
Tsartlip First Nation	British Columbia	Saanich-speaking community with strong cultural heritage.	1,200
Osoyoos Indian Band	British Columbia	Syilx (Okanagan) Nation with successful economic projects.	540
Lutselk’e Dene First Nation	Northwest Territories	Dene community near Great Slave Lake.	300
Teslin Tlingit Council	Yukon	Tlingit community engaged in self-governance and culture.	1,200
Taku River Tlingit First Nation	British Columbia	Tlingit community with territories spanning Alaska-Canada border.	400
Fort McKay First Nation	Alberta	Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation with interests in oil sands.	800
Carcross/Tagish First Nation	Yukon	Carcross/Tagish community known for cultural revitalization.	700
Wet’suwet’en First Nation	British Columbia	Wet’suwet’en community known for resistance against resource projects.	3,000
Enoch Cree Nation	Alberta	Cree community near Edmonton with diverse projects.	2,800
Frog Lake First Nation	Alberta	Cree community with historical significance.	2,000
Red Rock Indian Band	Ontario	Ojibwe community on the north shore of Lake Superior.	1,000
Lac La Ronge Indian Band	Saskatchewan	Largest Indigenous group in Saskatchewan with various activities.	11,000
Fort William First Nation	Ontario	Ojibwe community near Thunder Bay with interests in forestry.	1,300
Thunderchild First Nation	Saskatchewan	Cree community focused on education and culture.	2,700

List of Inuit

In Canada, Inuit people live in the northern regions like Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and NunatuKavut, as well as parts of the Northwest Territories and Yukon, mainly around the Arctic Ocean. These areas are called Inuit Nunangat. They’re recognized separately from First Nations and Métis under sections 25 and 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982. Greenlandic Inuit, also known as Kalaallit, are descendants of migrations from Canada around 1100 CE. Even though Greenland isn’t part of the European Communities anymore, its Inuit citizens are Danish citizens and still part of the European Union.

Inuit Community	Location	Description	Population Count
Inuvialuit Settlement Region	Northwest Territories	Inuit settlement area in Canada’s western Arctic	3,500
Nunavut	Nunavut	Canada’s newest territory, home to many Inuit	39,000
Nunatsiavut	Labrador	Self-governing region for Labrador Inuit	2,500
Nunavik	Quebec	Inuit homeland in northern Quebec	13,000
NunatuKavut	Labrador	Inuit community with historical ties to Labrador	6,000
Ulukhaktok	Northwest Territories	Inuit community on Victoria Island	400
Iqaluit	Nunavut	Capital of Nunavut, with a significant Inuit population	8,000
Kuujjuaq	Quebec	Major Inuit community in Nunavik	2,700
Pangnirtung	Nunavut	Inuit community known for art and culture	1,500
Inukjuak	Quebec	Inuit community on Hudson Bay	1,800
Kugluktuk	Nunavut	Inuit community on the Arctic coast of Canada	1,500
Rankin Inlet	Nunavut	Inuit community on the western shore of Hudson Bay	2,800
Baker Lake	Nunavut	Inuit community inland from Hudson Bay	2,000
Cambridge Bay	Nunavut	Inuit community on the southeast coast of Victoria Island	1,800
Arviat	Nunavut	Inuit community on the western shore of Hudson Bay	2,800
Igloolik	Nunavut	Inuit community in the Arctic Circle	1,800
Gjoa Haven	Nunavut	Inuit community on King William Island	1,300
Coral Harbour	Nunavut	Inuit community on Southampton Island	900
Qikiqtarjuaq	Nunavut	Inuit community on Broughton Island	600
Clyde River	Nunavut	Inuit community on Baffin Island	1,200
Sanikiluaq	Nunavut	Inuit community on Flaherty Island	900
Hall Beach	Nunavut	Inuit community on Melville Peninsula	800
Pond Inlet	Nunavut	Inuit community on northern Baffin Island	1,600
Repulse Bay	Nunavut	Inuit community on the Arctic coast of Canada	800
Resolute	Nunavut	Inuit community on Cornwallis Island	250
Tuktoyaktuk	Northwest Territories	Inuit community on the Arctic coast of Canada	1,000
Holman	Northwest Territories	Inuit community on Victoria Island	400
Sachs Harbour	Northwest Territories	Inuit community on Banks Island	125
Kimmirut	Nunavut	Inuit community on Baffin Island	400
Naujaat	Nunavut	Inuit community on the Arctic coast of Canada	1,100
Pangnirtung	Nunavut	Inuit community known for art and culture	1,500
Umiujaq	Quebec	Inuit community on Hudson Bay	400
Aupaluk	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	180
Ivujivik	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	450
Akulivik	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	630
Salluit	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	1,450
Kangiqsujuaq	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	650
Kangiqsualujjuaq	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	900
Kangirsuk	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	650
Kuujjuarapik	Quebec	Inuit community in Nunavik	800

List of Métis 

Métis people in Canada are special groups with both First Nations and European ancestry, especially French, from early Canada history. They’re recognized as Indigenous, like First Nations and Inuit, since 1982. In 2014, Canada’s Supreme Court confirmed Métis and some non-status Indians as ‘Indians’ under the law but didn’t rely solely on the Powley test for Métis identification. Most Métis are in Canada, though some are in the US. In Canada, about 587,545 people identify as Métis, with many in Ontario and Alberta. Not all mixed French and Indigenous people, like Acadians, are considered Métis by the government. The traditional view is that Métis are descendants of French traders and Indigenous women mainly from western Canada.

Métis Community	Location	Description	Population Count
Red River Settlement	Manitoba	Historic Métis settlement in Manitoba	50,000
Alberta Métis Settlements	Alberta	Métis settlements throughout Alberta	90,000
Saskatchewan Métis	Saskatchewan	Métis communities across Saskatchewan	75,000
Manitoba Métis Federation	Manitoba	Métis governance organization in Manitoba	100,000
Métis Nation of Ontario	Ontario	Métis organization representing Ontario Métis	20,000
Métis Nation British Columbia	British Columbia	Métis organization representing BC Métis	10,000
Métis Nation of Alberta	Alberta	Métis organization representing Alberta Métis	80,000
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan	Métis organization representing Saskatchewan Métis	60,000
Métis Nation of Manitoba	Manitoba	Métis organization representing Manitoba Métis	100,000
Métis Nation of Ontario	Ontario	Métis organization representing Ontario Métis	20,000
Métis Nation British Columbia	British Columbia	Métis organization representing BC Métis	10,000
Métis Nation of Alberta	Alberta	Métis organization representing Alberta Métis	80,000
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan	Métis organization representing Saskatchewan Métis	60,000
Riel House National Historic Site	Manitoba	Historic site associated with Métis leader Louis Riel	Unknown
Métis Crossing	Alberta	Cultural interpretive center celebrating Métis culture	Unknown
Métis Nation of Ontario	Ontario	Métis organization representing Ontario Métis	20,000
Métis Nation British Columbia	British Columbia	Métis organization representing BC Métis	10,000
Métis Nation of Alberta	Alberta	Métis organization representing Alberta Métis	80,000
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan	Métis organization representing Saskatchewan Métis	60,000
Métis Nation of Ontario	Ontario	Métis organization representing Ontario Métis	20,000
Métis Nation British Columbia	British Columbia	Métis organization representing BC Métis	10,000
Métis Nation of Alberta	Alberta	Métis organization representing Alberta Métis	80,000
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan	Métis organization representing Saskatchewan Métis	60,000
Gabriel Dumont Institute	Saskatchewan	Educational institute supporting Métis culture	Unknown
Louis Riel Institute	Manitoba	Educational institute focusing on Métis history	Unknown
Manitoba Métis Heritage Centre	Manitoba	Cultural center celebrating Métis heritage	Unknown
Métis Cultural and Heritage Centre	Alberta	Cultural center dedicated to Métis culture	Unknown
Métis Nation of Ontario	Ontario	Métis organization representing Ontario Métis	20,000
Métis Nation British Columbia	British Columbia	Métis organization representing BC Métis	10,000
Métis Nation of Alberta	Alberta	Métis organization representing Alberta Métis	80,000
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan	Métis organization representing Saskatchewan Métis	60,000
Gabriel Dumont Institute	Saskatchewan	Educational institute supporting Métis culture	Unknown
Louis Riel Institute	Manitoba	Educational institute focusing on Métis history	Unknown
Manitoba Métis Heritage Centre	Manitoba	Cultural center celebrating Métis heritage	Unknown
Métis Cultural and Heritage Centre	Alberta	Cultural center dedicated to Métis culture	Unknown
Métis Nation of Ontario	Ontario	Métis organization representing Ontario Métis	20,000
Métis Nation British Columbia	British Columbia	Métis organization representing BC Métis	10,000
Métis Nation of Alberta	Alberta	Métis organization representing Alberta Métis	80,000
Métis Nation of Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan	Métis organization representing Saskatchewan Métis	60,000
Gabriel Dumont Institute	Saskatchewan	Educational institute supporting Métis culture	Unknown
Louis Riel Institute	Manitoba	Educational institute focusing on Métis history	Unknown
Manitoba Métis Heritage Centre	Manitoba	Cultural center celebrating Métis heritage	Unknown
Métis Cultural and Heritage Centre	Alberta	Cultural center dedicated to Métis culture	Unknown

Indigenous Arts, Culture, and Heritage

The Canadian government works with Indigenous groups to celebrate, share, and protect Indigenous arts, culture, and heritage. Indigenous art is an important part of Canada’s culture, showing the beliefs, history, and traditions of Indigenous peoples. It includes things like carvings and totem poles, as well as other traditional art forms.

• The Indigenous Art Centre was established in 1965 to support Indigenous art in Canada.
• It holds the Indigenous Art Collection, which includes over 4300 artworks by well-known and emerging Indigenous artists.
• The collection is acquired through peer-reviewed processes and shares Indigenous culture and stories.
• Sources for acquiring artworks include various programs, gifts, and donations.
• Alberta Art Collection: Obtained in 1990, featuring 200 pieces including paintings, drawings, prints, and sculptures.
• Archival Collection: Contains artworks and original art books for on-site research only.
• Dewdney Collection: Contains 181 artworks, including pieces by renowned artist Norval Morrisseau and correspondence with Selwyn H. Dewdney.
• Inuit Art Collection: Contemporary pieces in various mediums.
• National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on or around June 21 annually, coinciding with the significance of the summer solstice.
• Initially known as National Aboriginal Day, it was declared in 1996 by Governor General Roméo LeBlanc.
• The establishment of the day followed calls for recognition from Indigenous groups, including the National Indian Brotherhood and the Sacred Assembly.
• In 2017, the Prime Minister announced the renaming of the day to National Indigenous Peoples Day, aligning it with Celebrate Canada festivities.

Major and Top Indigenous Peoples in Canada

In the 2021 census, 1,807,250 people in Canada said they were Indigenous, which is 5 percent of the total population. Among them, there were 1,048,405 First Nations people, 624,220 Métis, and 70,545 Inuit. The Indigenous population in Canada is growing steadily. Between 2006 and 2016, it grew by 42.5 percent, which is more than four times the growth rate of non-Indigenous people. From 2016 to 2021, it went up by 9.4 percent, almost double the rate of non-Indigenous growth. Statistics Canada predicted in 2016 that within 20 years, the Indigenous population might exceed 2.5 million. This growth is because people are living longer, having more babies, and more people are identifying as Indigenous. In 2016, the census showed that both on-reserve and off-reserve First Nations communities grew. The on-reserve population went up by 12.8 percent, while off-reserve grew by 49.1 percent. Most Métis live in cities, about two-thirds of them, according to 2016 data. For the Inuit, almost 75 percent of them live in Inuit Nunangat, which is a big area in the Arctic covering their traditional lands, waters, and ice.

Abenaki	Innu (Montagnais-Naskapi)	Oneida
Ahousaht	Interior Salish	Onondaga
Algonquin	Inuinnait (Copper Inuit)	Pacheenaht
Assiniboine	Inuvialuit (Mackenzie Inuit)	Tionontati (Petun)
Atikamekw	Kainai (Blood)	Piikani (Peigan)
Baffin Island Inuit	K’asho Got’ine (Hare)	Saldermiut Inuit
Beothuk	Kaska Dena	Sahtu Got’ine (Bearlake)
Blackfoot Confederacy	Kivallirmiut (Caribou Inuit)	Secwepemc (Shuswap)
Cayuga	Ktunaxa (Kootenay)	Sekani
Central Coast Salish	Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl)	Seneca
Coast Salish	Kyuquot and Checleseht	Shuta Got’ine (Mountain)
Cree	Labradormiut (Labrador Inuit)	Siksika (Blackfoot)
Dakota	Lilwat (Lillooet)	Slavey
Dakelh (Carrier)	Lingit (Tlingit)	Stoney-Nakoda
Dane-zaa (Beaver)	Métis	Syilx (Okanagan)
Dene	Mi’kmaq	Tagish
Denesuline (Chipewyan)	Mohawk	Tahltan
Ditidaht	Mowachaht-Muchalaht	Tla-o-qui-aht (Clayoquot)
Ehattesaht	Nahani	Tlicho (Dogrib)
Gitxsan (Gitksan)	Netsilingmiut (Netsilik Inuit)	Toquaht
Gwich’in	Neutral Confederacy	Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (Han)
Haida	Nicola-Similkameen	Tseshaht (Sheshaht)
Haisla (Kitamaat)	Nisga’a	Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin)
Haudenosaunee (Six Nations or Iroquois)	Nlaka’pamux (Thompson)	Tsimshian
Heiltsuk	Northern Georgia Strait Coast Salish	Tsuut’ina (Sarcee)
Hesquiaht	Nuchatlaht	Tutchone
Hupacasath (Opetchesaht)	Nunavimmiut (Ungava Inuit)	Uchucklesaht
Huu-ay-aht	Nuu-chah-nulth	Ucluelet (First Nation)
Huron-Wendat	Nuxalk (Bella Coola)	Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet)
Iglulingmuit (Iglulik Inuit)	Odawa	Wetal (Tsetsaut)
Inuit	Ojibwe	Yellowknives (band)

Regional and Cultural Diversity

Indigenous peoples in North America are grouped into 10 cultural areas. In Canada, we have six of these areas as mentioned below:

• Arctic
• Subarctic
• Northwest Coast
• Plateau
• Plains
• Eastern Woodlands
• Southeast
• Southwest
• Great Basin
• California

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FAQs on Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Who are the indigenous people in Canada?

The Canadian Constitution recognizes 3 groups of Indigenous peoples: Indians (more commonly referred to as First Nations), Inuit and Métis. These are 3 distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

What was Canada called by the Indigenous?

The name “Canada” likely comes from the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” meaning “village” or “settlement.” In 1535, two Aboriginal youths told French explorer Jacques Cartier about the route to kanata; they were actually referring to the village of Stadacona, the site of the present-day City of Québec.

Who has Indigenous status in Canada?

All Indigenous peoples have status. Inuit and Métis peoples do not have status but are indigenous to Canada.

What are the Indigenous territories of Canada?

The Inuit are also recognized by the Canadian government as Indigenous peoples, and govern their own territory. This is defined as Inuit Nunangat, which includes 53 communities across four regions: Inuvialuit (in the Northwest Territories and Yukon), Nunavut, Nunavik (in Northern Quebec) and Nunatsiavut (in Labrador).

Are Indians Aboriginal people in Canada?

Aboriginal peoples of Canada are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. Area consisting of one or more neighbouring municipalities situated around a core. A census agglomeration must have a core population of at least 10,000.

What is the largest First Nations in Canada?

The largest of the First Nations groups is the Cree. The group includes some 120,000 people. In Canada the word Indian has a legal definition given in the Indian Act of 1876. People legally defined as Indians are known as status Indians.