Index of articles related to Indigenous Canadians facts for kids

The Indigenous peoples in Canada are the original inhabitants of this land. They include three main groups: the First Nations, the Inuit, and the Métis peoples. This list helps you learn about many important topics related to their history, cultures, and lives in Canada.

A

• Aatsista-Mahkan (Running rabbit) – A name meaning "Running Rabbit."
• Abenaki mythology – Traditional stories and beliefs of the Abenaki people.
• Aboriginal Day of Action – A day when Indigenous peoples held protests to raise awareness about their rights.
• Aboriginal land claim – When Indigenous groups ask for their traditional lands back or for recognition of their rights to those lands.
• Aboriginal Multimedia Society of Alberta – An organization that shares Indigenous stories and news through media.
• Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada – A group supporting Indigenous nurses and health care.
• Aboriginal Peoples Television Network – A TV channel that shares Indigenous stories, news, and culture.
• Aboriginal title – The special rights Indigenous peoples have to their traditional lands.
• Aboriginal Voices – A magazine and radio network that shared Indigenous perspectives.
• Aboriginal whaling – The traditional practice of hunting whales by Indigenous peoples.
• Agreement Respecting a New Relationship Between the Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec – An agreement between the Cree Nation and the Quebec government.
• Aleutian tradition – Cultural practices and beliefs of the Aleut people.
• Allied Tribes of British Columbia – A group of First Nations who worked together in British Columbia.
• Amauti – A special type of Inuit parka (coat) designed to carry a baby on the back.
• Angakkuq – A spiritual healer or shaman in Inuit culture.
• Anglo-Métis – People of mixed British and Métis heritage.
• Anishinaabe traditional beliefs – The spiritual beliefs and stories of the Anishinaabe people.
• Anishinaabe tribal political organizations – Groups that represent the Anishinaabe people in government matters.
• Archaic period in the Americas – A time in history (about 8,000 to 1,000 BC) when early peoples lived by hunting and gathering.
• Arctic Council – An international group that works on issues in the Arctic, including those affecting Indigenous peoples.
• Arctic small tool tradition – An ancient culture known for making small, sharp tools in the Arctic.
• Athabaskan languages – A family of languages spoken by many First Nations groups in Canada and the US.
• Azeban – A trickster figure in Abenaki mythology, often depicted as a raccoon.

B

• Band society – A small, simple group of people, often related, who live and work together.
• Battle of Cut Knife – A battle during the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
• Battle of Duck Lake – The first battle of the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
• Battle of Fallen Timbers – A battle in 1794 between American forces and a confederation of Indigenous peoples.
• Battle of Fish Creek – A battle during the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
• Battle of Fort Pitt – An event during the North-West Rebellion where a fort was taken by Indigenous forces.
• Battle of Frenchman's Butte – A battle during the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
• Battle of Hudson's Bay – A naval battle in 1697 during a conflict between France and England.
• Battle of Loon Lake – The last battle of the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
• Battle of Long Sault – A battle in 1660 between French settlers and Indigenous warriors.
• Battle of the Belly River – A battle in 1870 between the Blackfoot and Cree.
• Battle of Seven Oaks (1816) – A conflict between Métis people and settlers in 1816.
• Bannock (food) – A type of flat bread, often cooked over a fire, common in Indigenous cuisine.
• Beaver Wars – A series of conflicts in the 17th century over control of the fur trade.
• Bell of Batoche – A church bell taken during the North-West Rebellion, important to Métis history.
• Beothuk – An Indigenous people from Newfoundland who are now extinct.
• Big Bear (mistahi-maskwa) – A respected Cree chief during the 19th century.
• Birnirk culture – An ancient culture in the Arctic, ancestors of the Inuit.
• Blackfoot language – The language spoken by the Blackfoot (Siksikaitsitapi) people.
• Blackfoot religion – The spiritual beliefs and practices of the Blackfoot people.
• Blond Eskimos – A historical term for some Inuit people with lighter hair, now considered outdated.
• Bloody Falls Massacre – A historical event where Inuit people were attacked by Dene warriors.
• Bridge River Rapids – A significant fishing site for Indigenous peoples in British Columbia.
• British Columbia Treaty Process – A way for First Nations and the governments to negotiate treaties about land and rights.
• British North America Acts – Laws that created Canada and set out its government structure.
• Brocket 99 – A short film about Indigenous issues.
• Burnt Church Crisis – A conflict over fishing rights in New Brunswick.
• Bungee language – A mixed language spoken by some Métis people.

C

• Canada – The country where Indigenous peoples have lived for thousands of years.
• Canadian Aboriginal law – The laws in Canada that deal with Indigenous rights and issues.
• Canadian Aboriginal syllabics – A writing system used for many Indigenous languages in Canada.
• Canadian Indian residential school system – A system of schools where Indigenous children were forced to attend, causing great harm.
• Canadian Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples – A group of senators who study issues affecting Indigenous peoples.
• Caribou Inuit – Inuit people who traditionally hunted caribou.
• Centre for Indigenous Theatre – A place where Indigenous theatre and performing arts are taught and celebrated.
• Chief Pontiac (Obwandiyag) – A famous Ottawa leader who led a rebellion against British rule.
• Chimney Rock (Canada) – A historical site in British Columbia.
• Christ Church Royal Chapel – A historic church with ties to Indigenous communities.
• Classification of indigenous peoples of the Americas – Ways to group Indigenous peoples based on their culture, language, or location.
  • Indigenous languages of the Americas – The many different languages spoken by Indigenous peoples.
    • Arctic cultural area – People living in the Arctic, speaking Eskimo–Aleut languages.
    • Subarctic culture area – People living in the Subarctic, speaking Na-Dene languages or Algic languages.
    • Eastern Woodlands (Northeast) cultural area – People from the Eastern forests, speaking Algic languages and Iroquoian languages.
    • Plains cultural area – People from the prairies, speaking Siouan–Catawban languages.
    • Northwest Plateau cultural area – People from the plateau region, speaking Salishan languages.
    • Northwest Coast cultural area – People from the Pacific coast, speaking Penutian languages, Tsimshianic languages and Wakashan languages.
• Coast Salish peoples – Indigenous peoples living along the coast of British Columbia and Washington.
• Coast Salish art – The unique art style of the Coast Salish peoples.
• Coast Salish languages – The languages spoken by the Coast Salish peoples.
• Coast Tsimshian – A dialect of the Tsimshian language.
• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples – A national organization representing Indigenous peoples.
• Constitution Act, 1982 – A Canadian law that includes important sections about Indigenous rights.
• Council of Three Fires – A historic alliance of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi First Nations.
• Section Thirty-five of the Constitution Act, 1982 – A part of the Canadian Constitution that recognizes and affirms Indigenous and treaty rights.
• Section Twenty-five of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – A part of the Canadian Charter that protects Indigenous rights from being taken away by other rights.
• Copper Inuit – Inuit people known for using copper tools.
• Cree syllabics – A writing system used for the Cree language.
• Crowfoot (Isapo-Muxika) – A famous Blackfoot chief.
• Culture of the Tlingit – The traditions, art, and way of life of the Tlingit people.

D

• De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group – An Indigenous theatre company.
• Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe – A statement by the Lillooet (St'at'imc) people about their land rights.
• Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – An international document that sets out the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide.
• Dorset culture – An ancient Paleo-Eskimo culture in the Arctic.
• Douglas Treaties – A series of land agreements made on Vancouver Island in the 1850s.
• Dreamcatcher – A handmade object from some Indigenous cultures, believed to catch bad dreams.
• The Dead Dog Café Comedy Hour – A popular Indigenous comedy radio show.

E

• Eastern Woodlands tribes – Indigenous peoples who lived in the eastern forests of North America.
• Egushawa – A historical Potawatomi chief.
• Enumclaw and Kapoonis – Characters in some Indigenous stories.
• Eskimo – An older term for Inuit people, now often considered outdated.
• Eskimo–Aleut languages – A language family that includes Inuit and Aleut languages.
• Eskimo kissing – A greeting where two people rub noses, also known as a kunik.
• European colonization of the Americas – The period when European countries settled in the Americas.

French colonization of the Americas – When France established colonies in North America.

British colonisation of the Americas – When Britain established colonies in North America.

• Eva Aariak – A former Premier of Nunavut.
• Exovedate – The Métis provisional government formed by Louis Riel.

F

• Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians – A government role that works with Métis and non-status Indigenous peoples.
• Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations – A political organization representing First Nations in Saskatchewan.
• First Nations – One of the three main groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

  First Nations Bank of Canada – A bank that serves First Nations communities.

  First Nations Composer Initiative – A program supporting First Nations musicians.

  First Nations Government (Canada) – The self-governing bodies of First Nations communities.

  First Nations Health Authority – An organization that provides health services to First Nations in British Columbia.

  First Nations Periodicals – Magazines and journals published by or for First Nations.

  First Nations Police (Ontario) – Police services run by First Nations in Ontario.

  First Nations Summit – A group representing First Nations in British Columbia.

  First Nations Technical Institute – A college focused on First Nations education.

  First Nations Transportation – Issues related to transportation in First Nations communities.

  First Nations University Students' Association – A student group at the First Nations University of Canada.

  First Nations University of Canada – A university focused on Indigenous education.

  First Nations in Alberta – First Nations communities located in Alberta.

  First Nations in Atlantic Canada – First Nations communities in Canada's Atlantic provinces.

  First Nations in British Columbia – First Nations communities in British Columbia.

  First Nations in Manitoba – First Nations communities in Manitoba.

  First Nations in New Brunswick – First Nations communities in New Brunswick.

  First Nations in Ontario – First Nations communities in Ontario.

  First Nations in Quebec – First Nations communities in Quebec.

  First Nations in Saskatchewan – First Nations communities in Saskatchewan.

  First Nations language – The many languages spoken by First Nations peoples.

  First Nations music – The diverse music of First Nations peoples.

  First Nations social issues – Important social topics affecting First Nations communities.

  First Nations studies – The academic study of First Nations history, culture, and issues.

• First Peoples' Heritage, Language and Culture Council – An organization that supports Indigenous languages and cultures.
• First Battle of Bloody Creek – A battle during Queen Anne's War.
• Five Medals – A historical Potawatomi chief.
• Folsom point – A type of stone spear point used by ancient Paleo-Indians.
• Folsom tradition – A Paleo-Indian culture known for its distinctive stone tools.
• Franco-Indian alliance – Alliances between French colonists and Indigenous peoples.
• Fraser Canyon War – A conflict in 1858 between miners and Nlaka'pamux people in British Columbia.
• French and Indian War – A major conflict (1754-1763) between Britain and France, with many Indigenous allies on both sides.

  Battle of Fort Beauséjour (June 16, 1755)

  Siege of Louisbourg (June 8 – July 26, 1758)

  Battle of Fort Frontenac (August 25, 1758)

  Battle of the Thousand Islands, August 16–25, 1760

  Battle of Beauport (July 31, 1759)

  Battle of the Plains of Abraham (September 13, 1759)

  Battle of Sainte-Foy (April 28, 1760)

  Battle of Restigouche, July 3–8, (1760)

  Battle of Signal Hill September 15, 1762

• Food of the Tlingit – Traditional foods of the Tlingit people.
• Frog Lake Massacre – An event during the North-West Rebellion where Cree warriors killed settlers.
• The Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site – A historic site related to the fur trade.
• Fur brigade – Groups of traders and voyageurs who transported furs.
• Fred Quilt inquiry – An investigation into the death of an Indigenous man in police custody.
• Fur seal – A type of seal hunted for its fur.

G

• Gabriel Dumont – A famous Métis military leader and ally of Louis Riel.
• Gabriel Dumont Institute – An organization that supports Métis education and culture.
• Genetic history of indigenous peoples of the Americas – The study of the genetic origins of Indigenous peoples.
  • Y-DNA haplogroups in Indigenous peoples of the Americas – Genetic markers found in Indigenous populations.
• Gradual Civilization Act – An old Canadian law (1857) that aimed to make Indigenous peoples give up their traditions and become more like Europeans.
• Grand Council of Treaty 3 – A political organization representing First Nations who signed Treaty 3.
• Grand River land dispute – A long-standing disagreement over land in Ontario.
• Great Peace of Montreal – A major peace treaty signed in 1701 between New France and many Indigenous nations.
• Great Spirit – A concept of a supreme being or spiritual force in many Indigenous beliefs.
• Gitche Manitou – The Great Spirit in Anishinaabe traditions.
• Gitksan language – The language spoken by the Gitxsan people.
• Gitxsan Treaty Society – A group working on land claims for the Gitxsan people.
• Glooscap – A heroic figure in the mythology of some Eastern Woodlands Indigenous peoples.
• Gustafsen Lake Standoff – A conflict in 1995 over land rights in British Columbia.

H

• Haldimand Proclamation – A land grant in 1784 to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) for their loyalty to the British.
• Hamatla Treaty Society – A group involved in treaty negotiations in British Columbia.
• Haida Argillite Carvings – Unique sculptures made from black slate by the Haida people.
• Haida language – The language spoken by the Haida people.
• Haida manga – A style of comic art combining Haida art with Japanese manga.
• Haida mythology – The traditional stories and beliefs of the Haida people.
• Haisla language – The language spoken by the Haisla people.
• Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump – A UNESCO World Heritage site in Alberta where Indigenous peoples traditionally hunted buffalo.
• Heiltsuk language – The language spoken by the Heiltsuk people.
• High Arctic relocation – The forced relocation of Inuit families by the Canadian government in the 1950s.
• History of Canada – The story of Canada, including the long history of Indigenous peoples.
• History of Alberta#Pre-Confederation – The history of Alberta before it joined Canada.
• History of the west coast of North America – The history of the Pacific coast, including many Indigenous nations.
• Hivernants – French for "winterers," referring to fur traders who spent winters in the interior.
• Hopewell tradition – An ancient Indigenous culture in eastern North America known for its earthworks.
• Hudson's Bay Company – A historic fur trading company that played a big role in Canadian history.
• Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group – A group of Coast Salish First Nations involved in treaty negotiations.

I

• Igloo – A traditional Inuit shelter made of snow.
• Ihalmiut – A group of Caribou Inuit.
• Indian Act – A Canadian law (first passed in 1876) that governs many aspects of First Nations life and reserves.
• Indian Agent (Canada) – A government official who managed First Nations affairs under the Indian Act.
• Indian Department – A historical government department that dealt with Indigenous affairs.
• Indian Health Transfer Policy (Canada) – A policy allowing First Nations to take control of their health services.
• Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast – Indigenous groups living along the Pacific coast, known for their rich cultures.
• Indians of Canada Pavilion – A pavilion at Expo 67 that showcased Indigenous cultures.
• Indian Register – A list of people recognized as "Status Indians" under the Indian Act.
• Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission – A commission that investigated the history and impacts of residential schools.
• Indian Reserve (1763) – A large territory set aside for Indigenous peoples by the British Royal Proclamation of 1763.
• Indian settlement – A community where First Nations people live.
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada – A former Canadian government department responsible for Indigenous and northern affairs.
• Indigenous archaeology – The study of the past from Indigenous perspectives.
• Indigenous Canadian personalities – Famous Indigenous people from Canada.
• Indigenous Dialogues – Conversations and discussions about Indigenous issues.
• Indigenous (ecology) – Referring to species that naturally occur in a certain area.
• Indigenous food security in Canada – Ensuring that Indigenous communities have access to healthy and traditional foods.
• Indigenous intellectual property – The rights of Indigenous peoples to their traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.
• Indigenous knowledge – The traditional knowledge, wisdom, and practices of Indigenous peoples.
• Indigenous land claims in Canada – Legal claims by Indigenous groups for their traditional territories.
• Indigenous language – Any of the many languages spoken by Indigenous peoples.
• Indigenous languages of the Americas – The diverse languages spoken by Indigenous peoples across the Americas.
• Indigenous medicine – Traditional healing practices and knowledge of Indigenous peoples.
• Indigenous music of Canada – The rich and diverse musical traditions of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
• Indigenous peoples by geographic regions – Grouping Indigenous peoples by where they live.
• Indigenous peoples in Northern Canada – Indigenous groups living in Canada's northern territories.
• Indigenous peoples in Quebec – Indigenous groups living in Quebec.
• Indigenous peoples of the Americas – The original inhabitants of North and South America.
• Indigenous rights – The human rights that Indigenous peoples hold because of their historical and cultural distinctiveness.
• Indspire – A national Indigenous charity that invests in Indigenous education.
• Indspire Awards – Awards celebrating the achievements of Indigenous people.
• International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs – An international organization that supports Indigenous rights.
• Institute of Indigenous Government – An institute focused on Indigenous governance.
• Inu-Yupiaq – A term referring to Inuit and Yupik peoples.
• Inuit – One of the three main groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada, living in the Arctic.

  Inuit–Aleut – The language family that includes Inuit and Aleut languages.

  Inuit art – The unique art forms of the Inuit, including carvings and prints.

  Museum of Inuit Art – A museum dedicated to Inuit art.

  Inuit astronomy – The traditional knowledge of stars and celestial bodies by the Inuit.

  Inuit Boots – Traditional Inuit boots, often made from animal skins.

  Inuit Broadcasting Corporation – A TV network that produces programming in Inuktitut.

  Inuit Circumpolar Council – An international organization representing Inuit across the Arctic.

  Inuit culture – The traditions, beliefs, and way of life of the Inuit people.

  Inuit diet – Traditional foods eaten by the Inuit.

  Inuit Dog – A breed of dog traditionally used by the Inuit.

  Inuit grammar – The rules of the Inuit language.

  Inuit language – The language spoken by the Inuit, primarily Inuktitut.

  Inuit mask – Traditional masks used in Inuit ceremonies or stories.

  Inuit music – The traditional and contemporary music of the Inuit.

  Inuit mythology – The traditional stories and spiritual beliefs of the Inuit.

  Inuit numerals – The traditional number system of the Inuit.

  Inuit phonology – The study of sounds in the Inuit language.

  Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit – Traditional Inuit knowledge and wisdom.

  Inuit snow goggles – Traditional eyewear used to prevent snow blindness.

  Inuit syllabary – The writing system for Inuktitut.

  Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami – A national organization representing Inuit in Canada.

  Inuit throat singing – A unique vocal tradition of the Inuit.

  Inuit weapons – Traditional tools and weapons used by the Inuit.

• Inuinnaqtun – An Inuit language spoken in parts of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
• Inuktitut – The most widely spoken Inuit language in Canada.
• Inuktitut writing – The writing system for Inuktitut.
• Inuktitut (magazine) – A magazine published in Inuktitut.
• Inuvialuktun – An Inuit language spoken in the western Canadian Arctic.
• Inuvialuit Settlement Region – A region in the Northwest Territories where the Inuvialuit have land claims.
• Inukshuk – A stone landmark or cairn built by Inuit for navigation or as a memorial.
• Isuma – An Inuit film and television production company.
• Iroquois – A powerful confederacy of First Nations in northeastern North America.
• Iroquois kinship – The traditional family and clan systems of the Iroquois.
• Iroquois mythology – The traditional stories and beliefs of the Iroquois.
• Ipperwash Crisis – A conflict in 1995 over land in Ontario, resulting in the death of an Indigenous protester.
• Ipperwash Inquiry – An investigation into the events of the Ipperwash Crisis.

J

• James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement – A major land claims agreement signed in 1975.
• James Bay Cree hydroelectric conflict – A dispute over hydroelectric dam projects in Quebec and their impact on Cree lands.
• Jenu – A term used by some Indigenous peoples.
• Jesuit missions in North America – Religious missions established by Jesuit priests among Indigenous peoples.
• Jordan's principle – A Canadian policy to ensure Indigenous children receive the public services they need without delays.
• Journal of Indigenous Studies – An academic journal focused on Indigenous studies.
• Juno Award for Aboriginal Recording of the Year – A Canadian music award for Indigenous artists.

K

• Kabloona – An Inuit term for non-Inuit people.
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission – A gaming commission run by the Kahnawake Mohawk First Nation.
• Kahnawake Iroquois and the Rebellions of 1837–38 – The role of the Kahnawake Mohawk in the Rebellions of 1837–38.
• Kainai – One of the Blackfoot nations.
• Kamloops Wawa – A newspaper published in Chinook Jargon.
• Kayak – A traditional Inuit boat.
• Kwak'wala – The language spoken by the Kwakwaka'wakw people.
• Kwakwaka'wakw mythology – The traditional stories and beliefs of the Kwakwaka'wakw people.
• Kwakwaka'wakw art – The unique art style of the Kwakwaka'wakw, including totem poles and masks.
• Kwakwaka'wakw music – The traditional music of the Kwakwaka'wakw.
• Kegedonce Press – An Indigenous publishing company.
• Koyukons – An Athabaskan-speaking Indigenous people from Alaska.
• King George's War – A conflict (1744-1748) between Britain and France, with Indigenous allies.
• King William's War – A conflict (1689-1697) between Britain and France, with Indigenous allies.
• Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi – The name given to an ancient Indigenous man found in a glacier.
• Kwakwaka'wakw – An Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
• Kudlik – A traditional Inuit oil lamp.

L

• Lacrosse – A team sport invented by Indigenous peoples in North America.
• Lachine massacre – A violent attack in 1689 by Haudenosaunee warriors on a French settlement.
• Land ownership in Canada – The different ways land is owned in Canada, including Indigenous land rights.
• Laurel complex – An archaeological culture in the Great Lakes region.
• List of archaeological periods (North America) – A timeline of ancient cultures in North America.

  Lithic stage (pre 8000 BC) – The earliest period, known for stone tools.

  Archaic stage (c. 8000 – 1000 BC) – A period of hunting and gathering.

  Formative stage (c. 1000 BC – AD 500) – A period when agriculture and pottery developed.

  Classic stage (c. AD 500–1200) – A period of complex societies and large settlements.

  Post-Classic stage (c. 1200–1900) – The period leading up to European contact.

• List of Canadians#Aboriginal leaders – A list of important Indigenous leaders.

  Big Bear (1825–1888) – A Cree leader.

  Brant, Joseph (1742–1807) – A Mohawk leader.

  Brant, Mary (1736–1796) – A leader of Six Nations women.

  Riel, Louis (1844–1885) – A Métis leader who led two uprisings.

  Piapot (c. 1816–1908) – A Cree Chief.

  Tecumseh (1768–1813) – A Shawnee leader.

  Nicola (1780/1785 – c. 1865) – A Grand Chief of the Okanagan people.

  Cumshewa – An 18th-century Haida chief.

  Maquinna – An 18th-century Nuu-chah-nulth chief.

  Wickanninish – A 19th-century Nuu-chah-nulth chief.

  August Jack Khatsahlano – A Squamish leader.

  Joe Capilano – A Squamish chief.

  Harriet Nahanee – A Squamish and Nuu-chah-nulth activist.

  Andy Paull – A Squamish leader and activist.

  Frank Calder – A Nisga'a leader who won a major land rights court case.

  Elijah Harper – A Cree and/or Ojibwe politician.

  Guujaaw – A modern-day Haida leader.

  Shawn Atleo – A former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

  Dan George – A Tsleil-Waututh First Nation chief, actor, and poet.

  Joseph Gosnell – A Nisga'a leader.

  Simon Gunanoot – A Gitxsan man who became a folk hero.

  Chief Hunter Jack ( –d.1905) – A St'at'imc chief.

  Mary John, Sr. – A Dakelh elder and cultural teacher.

  Klattasine – A Tsilhqot'in war chief.

  Koyah – An 18th-century chief of the Haida.

  George Manuel – A Secwepemc leader and advocate for Indigenous rights.

  Shanawdithit – The last known Beothuk person.

  Stewart Phillip – A Syilx leader and activist.

  Steven Point – A Sto:lo leader and former Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia.

  James Sewid – A Kwakwaka'wakw chief.

  Alec Thomas – A Kwakwaka'wakw chief.

  Walter Wright – An oral historian.

• List of Chinook Jargon placenames – Place names derived from a trade language.
• List of conflicts in Canada – A list of wars and conflicts in Canadian history.
• List of English words from indigenous languages of the Americas – English words that come from Indigenous languages.
• List of First Nations governments – A list of First Nations communities and their governments.
• List of First Nations people – A list of individuals who are First Nations.
• List of First Nations peoples – A list of the different First Nations groups.
• List of Indian reserves in Canada – A list of lands set aside for First Nations.
• List of Indian residential schools in Canada – A list of the residential schools.
• List of indigenous peoples – A general list of Indigenous peoples around the world.
• List of Canadian Inuit – A list of individuals who are Inuit.
• List of Métis people – A list of individuals who are Métis.
• List of place names in Canada of Aboriginal origin – Canadian place names that come from Indigenous languages.
• List of pre-Columbian cultures – A list of cultures that existed in the Americas before Christopher Columbus arrived.
• List of tribal councils in British Columbia – Groups of First Nations who work together in British Columbia.
• List of writers from peoples indigenous to the Americas – Indigenous authors.
• Looting of Battleford – An event during the North-West Rebellion where a town was looted.
• Louis Riel – A central figure in Métis history, leader of the Red River and North-West Rebellions.
• Trial of Louis Riel – The trial of Louis Riel after the North-West Rebellion.
• Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography – A graphic novel about Louis Riel's life.

M

• Makah language – A language spoken by the Makah people.
• Malsumis – A trickster figure in Abenaki mythology.
• Manitoba Band Operated Schools – Schools run by First Nations bands in Manitoba.
• Manitou – A spiritual force or being in Algonquian traditions.
• Maritime Archaic – An ancient culture in Atlantic Canada.
• McKenna-McBride Royal Commission – A commission in the early 20th century that looked at Indian reserves in British Columbia.
• McNally Robinson Aboriginal Book of the Year Award – An award for books by Indigenous authors.
• Mica Bay incident – A conflict in 1849 over mining rights in Ontario.
• Michif language – A unique language spoken by some Métis people, combining Cree and French.
• Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs (Manitoba) – A government minister in Manitoba responsible for Indigenous and northern issues.
• Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (Canada) – A former Canadian government minister responsible for Indigenous affairs.
• Métis people (Canada) – One of the three main groups of Indigenous peoples in Canada, with mixed Indigenous and European heritage.

  Anglo-Métis – Métis people with British and Indigenous ancestry.

  Métis Flag – The flag of the Métis Nation.

  Métis French – A dialect of French spoken by some Métis people.

  Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement – A land claim agreement for Métis and Dene in the Sahtu region.

  Métis National Council – A national organization representing the Métis Nation.

  Métis Nation of Alberta – The self-governing body of the Métis Nation in Alberta.

  Métis in Alberta – Métis communities in Alberta.

  Métis Nation British Columbia – The self-governing body of the Métis Nation in British Columbia.

  Métis Community Association of Vancouver – A Métis community group in Vancouver.

  Manitoba Métis Federation – The self-governing body of the Métis Nation in Manitoba.

  Métis Nation - Saskatchewan – The self-governing body of the Métis Nation in Saskatchewan.

  Métis Nation of Ontario – The self-governing body of the Métis Nation in Ontario.

  Métis Population Betterment Act – A historical law in Manitoba that aimed to help Métis people.

  Métis-sur-Mer, Quebec – A community in Quebec with Métis ties.

• Mixed-blood – A term for people of mixed ancestry, sometimes used for Métis people.
• Mohawk language – The language spoken by the Mohawk people.
• Mukluk – A soft boot traditionally worn by Arctic Indigenous peoples.
• Music of Nunavut – The musical traditions of the Inuit in Nunavut.

N

• Na-Dene languages – A language family that includes Athabaskan languages.
• Nanfan Treaty – A treaty signed in 1701 between the Haudenosaunee and the British.
• Nahnebahwequa – A historical Anishinaabe leader and advocate.
• Nanook – The master of the polar bears in Inuit mythology.
• Nanook of the North – A famous silent documentary film about Inuit life.
• National Aboriginal Day – A day (June 21) to celebrate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
• National Aboriginal Health Organization – A former organization focused on Indigenous health.
• Native American cuisine – Traditional foods of Indigenous peoples.
• Native American art – The diverse art forms of Indigenous peoples in North America.
• Native Education Centre – A college focused on Indigenous education.
• Native Friendship Centre – Community centres that provide services and cultural programs for Indigenous people.
• Native Women's Association of Canada – A national organization representing Indigenous women.
• Nellie Cournoyea – A former Premier of the Northwest Territories, of Inuvialuit descent.
• New World – A historical term for the Americas after European contact.
• Nicola (chief) – A historical Okanagan chief.
• Nicola language – A language spoken by the Nicola people.
• Nicole Redhead – An Indigenous artist.
• Nine Years' War – A conflict (1688-1697) in Europe that also affected North America.
• Nisga'a Final Agreement – A modern treaty signed by the Nisga'a Nation in British Columbia.
• Nisga'a language – The language spoken by the Nisga'a people.
• North American fur trade – The historical trade of animal furs, which greatly impacted Indigenous peoples.
• Northwest Coast art – The distinctive art of Indigenous peoples on the Pacific Northwest Coast.
• Northwest Indian War – A conflict (1786-1794) between the United States and a confederation of Indigenous nations.
• Northern Regional Negotiations Table – A forum for land claim negotiations.
• North West Company – A rival fur trading company to the Hudson's Bay Company.
• North-West Rebellion – An uprising in 1885 led by Louis Riel and Métis and First Nations allies.
• Norton tradition – An ancient culture in the Arctic, related to the Thule people.
• Numbered Treaties – A series of 11 treaties signed between the Canadian Crown and First Nations between 1871 and 1921.

  Treaty 1 – August 1871

  Treaty 2 – August 1871

  Treaty 3 – October 1873

  Treaty 4 – September 1874

  Treaty 5 – September 1875 (with later additions)

  Treaty 6 – August–September 1876 (with later additions)

  Treaty 7 – September 1877

  Treaty 8 – June 1899 (with further signings)

  Treaty 9 – July 1905

  Treaty 10 – August 1906

  Treaty 11 – June 1921

• Nunamiut – Inuit people who traditionally lived inland and hunted caribou.
• Nunatsiavummiutut – An Inuit language spoken in Nunatsiavut.
• Nunavut Arctic College – A college in Nunavut.
• Nunavut Land Claims Agreement – A major land claims agreement that led to the creation of Nunavut.
• Nuu-chah-nulth – An Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
• Nuu-chah-nulth mythology – The traditional stories and beliefs of the Nuu-chah-nulth.
• Nuxálk language – The language spoken by the Nuxalk people.

O

• Ogemawahj Tribal Council – A tribal council in Ontario.
• Ojibwe writing systems – Different ways of writing the Ojibwe language.
• Oowekyala language – The language spoken by the Oowekyala people.
• Oka Crisis – A land dispute and standoff in 1990 between Mohawk people and the government in Quebec.
• Okichitaw – A Cree martial art.
• Old Copper complex – An ancient culture in the Great Lakes region known for using copper tools.
• Old Crow Flats – A wetland area in Yukon, important for Indigenous history and wildlife.
• One Dead Indian – A book about the Ipperwash Crisis.
• Onkweonwe – A Haudenosaunee term meaning "the original people."
• Ontario Minamata disease – A mercury poisoning crisis that affected First Nations communities in Ontario.
• Ozette Indian Village Archeological Site – An archaeological site of a preserved Makah village.

P

• Paleo-Eskimo – Ancient cultures in the Arctic that were ancestors of the Inuit.
• Paleo-Indians – The earliest peoples who lived in the Americas.
• Payipwat (Piapot) – A historical Cree chief.
• Paulette Caveat – A legal case in the Northwest Territories about Indigenous land rights.
• Petun – An Iroquoian-speaking Indigenous people.
• Penetanguishene Bay Purchase – A land purchase in Ontario.
• Pitikwahanapiwiyin (Poundmaker) – A historical Cree chief during the North-West Rebellion.

  Poundmaker Cree Nation – A First Nation named after Chief Poundmaker.

• Plano culture – A Paleo-Indian culture known for its distinctive spear points.
• Plank house – A traditional type of house made from large wooden planks, common on the Northwest Coast.
• Plastic shaman – A term for someone who falsely claims to be an Indigenous spiritual leader.
• Pittailiniit – An Inuit term for traditional sewing.
• Plains Indians – Indigenous peoples who traditionally lived on the North American prairies.
• Point Peninsula complex – An archaeological culture in the Great Lakes region.
• Police – Indigenous police forces in Canada.
• Population history of American indigenous peoples – The study of how Indigenous populations have changed over time.
• Potlatch – A traditional ceremony of some Pacific Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples, involving feasting and gift-giving.
• Pontiac's Rebellion – A major uprising (1763-1765) led by Chief Pontiac against British rule.
• Pow-wow – A gathering of Indigenous peoples for dancing, singing, and cultural celebration.
• Powley ruling – A Canadian Supreme Court decision that affirmed Métis hunting rights.
• Pierre de Troyes, Chevalier de Troyes – A French military officer who led an expedition against English fur trading posts.
• Pre-Columbian – Referring to the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
• Public consultation – When governments ask for public opinion on decisions, including those affecting Indigenous peoples.
• Pwi-Di-Goo-Zing Ne-Yaa-Zhing Advisory Services – A tribal council in Ontario.

Q

• Qiviut – The soft inner wool of the muskox, used for warm clothing.
• Queen Anne's War – A conflict (1702-1713) between Britain and France, with Indigenous allies.

R

• Rancherie – A term for a First Nations reserve in British Columbia.
• Re Eskimos – A Canadian Supreme Court case that determined Inuit were under federal jurisdiction.
• Red Paint People – An ancient culture in northeastern North America known for using red ochre.
• Red River Rebellion – An uprising in 1869-1870 led by Louis Riel, which led to the creation of Manitoba.
• Red River ox cart – A traditional two-wheeled cart used by Métis people.
• Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples – A major Canadian commission that investigated Indigenous issues and made recommendations.
• Royal Proclamation of 1763 – A British law that recognized Indigenous land rights and set rules for land dealings.
• Rupert's Land – A vast territory in North America granted to the Hudson's Bay Company.

  Rupert's Land Act 1868 – A British law that allowed Rupert's Land to be transferred to Canada.

S

• St. Jude's Cathedral (Iqaluit) – A famous igloo-shaped cathedral in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
• St. Lawrence Iroquoians – An Iroquoian-speaking people who lived along the St. Lawrence River.
• Sacred bundle – A collection of sacred objects held by some Indigenous peoples.
• Salishan languages – A family of languages spoken by many Indigenous peoples in British Columbia and the US.
• Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies – A post-secondary institution for First Nations students in Saskatchewan.
• Saugeen complex – An archaeological culture in Ontario.
• Saugeen Tract Agreement – A land agreement in Ontario.
• Section Thirty-five of the Constitution Act, 1982 – A part of the Canadian Constitution that recognizes and affirms Indigenous and treaty rights.
• Section Twenty-five of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – A part of the Canadian Charter that protects Indigenous rights.
• Status of First Nations treaties in British Columbia – The ongoing process of treaty negotiations in British Columbia.
• Secwepemc Cultural Education Society – An organization that promotes Secwepemc culture and education.
• Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park – A museum dedicated to Secwepemc history and culture.
• Settler Colonialism in Canada – The process by which European settlers established control over Indigenous lands and societies.
• Seven Nations of Canada – An alliance of First Nations who were allies of New France.
• Shamanism among Eskimo peoples – Traditional spiritual practices among Inuit.
• Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig – An Anishinaabe cultural and educational institution.
• Siqqitiq – An Inuit term for a traditional hunting method.
• Sisiutl – A mythical two-headed sea serpent in Kwakwaka'wakw culture.
• Sixty Years' War (1754–1814) – A period of continuous conflict in North America.

  French and Indian War (1754–1763)

  Pontiac's Rebellion (1763–1765)

  Lord Dunmore's War (1774)

  Frontier warfare during the American Revolution (1775–1783)

  Northwest Indian War (1786–1794)

  War of 1812 (1812–1814)

• Skaay – A famous Haida storyteller.
• Sk'elep – A trickster figure in Secwepemc mythology, often a coyote.
• Skookum – A Chinook Jargon word meaning strong or good.
• Squamish people – An Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
• Squamish culture – The traditions and way of life of the Squamish people.
• Squamish history – The history of the Squamish people.
• Squamish language – The language spoken by the Squamish people.
• Sled dog – Dogs used to pull sleds, especially in northern regions.
• Spoken languages of Canada#Indigenous languages – A section about Indigenous languages spoken in Canada.
• Squaw – An offensive and outdated term for an Indigenous woman.
• St'at'imcets language – The language spoken by the St'at'imc people.
• Stó:lō – An Indigenous people of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.
• Slahal – A traditional gambling game played by some Indigenous peoples.
• Soulcatcher – A traditional object used by some Pacific Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples for healing.
• Spirit of Haida Gwaii – A famous sculpture by Haida artist Bill Reid.
• Sun Dance – A sacred ceremony practiced by many Plains Indigenous peoples.

T

• The Canadian Crown and Aboriginal peoples – The relationship between the Canadian monarchy and Indigenous peoples.
• Teiaiagon – A historical Seneca village in what is now Toronto.
• Terres en vues/Land InSights – An Indigenous film and arts festival.
• The Great Peacemaker – A spiritual leader who brought peace to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy.
• Three Sisters (agriculture) – The traditional Indigenous agricultural practice of growing corn, beans, and squash together.
• Thunderbird Park (Victoria, British Columbia) – A park known for its totem poles.
• Thule people – The ancestors of the modern Inuit, who migrated across the Arctic.
• Tlingit language – The language spoken by the Tlingit people.
• Toggling harpoon – A type of harpoon used by Arctic Indigenous peoples that turns sideways after striking.
• Totem pole – A monumental sculpture carved from large trees by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
• Travois – A traditional device used by Plains Indigenous peoples to transport goods, pulled by dogs or horses.
• Treaty of 1818 – A treaty between the US and Britain that affected Indigenous lands.
• Treaty of Fort Niagara – A significant treaty signed in 1764 between the British and many Indigenous nations.
• Treaty of Hartford (1638) – A treaty signed in colonial New England.
• Tribal College Librarians Institute – An institute supporting librarians at Indigenous colleges.
• Tikigaq – An Iñupiat village in Alaska.
• Tribal Council – A group of First Nations bands that work together.
• Tsimshian mythology – The traditional stories and beliefs of the Tsimshian people.
• Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut – An organization that helped negotiate the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
• Two-Spirit – A term used by some Indigenous peoples to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine spirits.

U

• Ulu – A traditional Inuit knife with a crescent-shaped blade.
• Urban Indian reserve – A type of reserve located within or near a city.
• Umiak – A large, open boat traditionally used by Inuit.
• Unceded territory – Land that has never been formally given up by Indigenous peoples through treaty or other agreement.
• Union of Ontario Indians – A political organization representing Anishinabek First Nations in Ontario.
• Uu-a-thluk – A Nuu-chah-nulth organization focused on fisheries.

V

• Vancouver Métis Community Association – A Métis community group in Vancouver.

W

• Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations – A First Nations organization in Ontario.
• Wabbicommicot – A historical Ojibwe chief.
• Wampum – Traditional shell beads used by Eastern Woodlands Indigenous peoples for records, ceremonies, and currency.
• Wakashan languages – A family of languages spoken by Indigenous peoples on the Pacific Northwest Coast.
• Wawatay Native Communications Society – An Indigenous communications organization in Ontario.
• War of 1812 – A conflict (1812-1814) between the United States and Great Britain, with many Indigenous allies.

  Chronology of the War of 1812 – A timeline of events in the War of 1812.

  War of 1812 Campaigns – The different military operations during the war.

  Niagara campaign – Military actions in the Niagara region during the War of 1812.

  Results of the War of 1812 – The outcomes of the War of 1812.

  Tecumseh – A Shawnee leader who allied with the British in the War of 1812.

  Tecumseh's War – A conflict led by Tecumseh before the War of 1812.

• War canoe – A large canoe used by Indigenous peoples for warfare or travel.
• Western Confederacy – An alliance of Indigenous nations in the Great Lakes region.
• Wiigwaasabak – Birch bark scrolls used by Anishinaabe people for writing and recording knowledge.
• Winalagalis Treaty Group – A group involved in treaty negotiations in British Columbia.
• Windigo First Nations Council – A tribal council in Ontario.
• Wolseley Expedition – A military expedition sent to the Red River Settlement after the Red River Rebellion.
• World Council of Indigenous Peoples – An international organization for Indigenous rights.
• Working Group on Indigenous Populations – A United Nations group focused on Indigenous rights.
• Wyandot religion – The traditional spiritual beliefs of the Wyandot (Huron) people.

X

• X̱á:ytem – An archaeological site in British Columbia.

Y

• Yellowquill College – A First Nations college in Saskatchewan.
• Yupik languages – A family of Indigenous languages spoken in Alaska and Siberia.
• Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council – A group working to protect the Yukon River watershed.

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See also

• Outline of Canada
• Bibliography of Canada
• Index of Canada-related articles (Parent index of Canada)
• List of Canada-related topics by provinces and territories (Clickable maps)