Indigenous peoples in Northern Canada facts for kids
The Indigenous peoples in Northern Canada are the original inhabitants of this vast and often cold part of Canada. These groups include the First Nations, the Métis, and the Inuit. They live in Canada's three northern areas, called territories: the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. These communities have rich histories and cultures that have thrived in the North for thousands of years.
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Who are the Indigenous Peoples of Northern Canada?
The Indigenous peoples of Northern Canada are diverse, each with their own unique languages, traditions, and ways of life.
First Nations
First Nations are the many different Indigenous peoples who lived south of the Arctic Circle. In Northern Canada, First Nations communities are mainly found in the Northwest Territories and Yukon. They have strong connections to the land and often have traditional practices tied to hunting, fishing, and gathering. Each First Nation has its own government and cultural practices.
Métis
The Métis are a distinct Indigenous people with mixed Indigenous and European ancestry. They have a unique culture that blends elements from both backgrounds. While many Métis live in other parts of Canada, some communities and individuals also live in the northern territories, especially in the Northwest Territories.
Inuit
The Inuit are the Indigenous people of the Arctic regions of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. In Canada, they primarily live in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and Labrador. The Inuit have adapted to life in the Arctic for thousands of years, developing special knowledge about the land, ice, and animals. Their culture is deeply connected to the Arctic environment.
Inuit Communities in the North
Many Inuit communities are spread across the vast northern landscape. These communities are vibrant places where Inuit culture and traditions continue to thrive.
Inuit Communities in the Northwest Territories
All Inuit communities in the Northwest Territories are part of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. This area is where the Inuvialuit, a group of Inuit, have special land rights and self-governance.
Nunavut is Canada's largest and newest territory, and it is home to the majority of Canada's Inuit population. The name "Nunavut" means "our land" in Inuktitut, the Inuit language.
- Arctic Bay (Ikpiarjuk ᐃᒃᐱᐊᕐᔪᒃ)
- Arviat (ᐊᕐᕕᐊᑦ)
- Baker Lake (Qamanittuaq, ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊᖅ)
- Bathurst Inlet (Kingoak)
- Cambridge Bay (Iqaluktuuttiaq)
- Chesterfield Inlet (Igluligaarjuk, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒑᕐᔪᒃ)
- Clyde River (Kangiqtugaapik, ᑲᖏᖅᑐᒑᐱᒃ)
- Coral Harbour (Salliit, ᓴᓪᓖᑦ)
- Gjoa Haven (Uqsuqtuuq, ᐅᖅᓱᖅᑑᖅ)
- Grise Fiord (Aujuittuq, ᐊᐅᔪᐃᑦᑐᖅ)
- Igloolik (Iglulik, ᐃᒡᓗᓕᒃ)
- Iqaluit (territorial capital) (ᐃᖃᓗᐃᑦ)
- Kimmirut (ᑭᒻᒥᕈᑦ)
- Kinngait (ᑭᙵᐃᑦ)
- Kugaaruk (Kuugaarjuk, ᑰᒑᕐᔪᒃ or Kuugaarruk, ᑰᒑᕐᕈᒃ )
- Kugluktuk (Qurluqtuq)
- Pangnirtung (Pangniqtuuq, ᐸᖕᓂᖅᑑᖅ)
- Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik, ᒥᑦᑎᒪᑕᓕᒃ)
- Qikiqtarjuaq (ᕿᑭᖅᑕᕐᔪᐊᖅ)
- Rankin Inlet (Kangiqiniq, ᑲᖏᕿᓂᖅ or Kangirliniq, ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ)
- Naujaat (ᓇᐅᔮᑦ)
- Resolute (Qausuittuq, ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ)
- Sanikiluaq, (ᓴᓂᑭᓗᐊᖅ)
- Sanirajak (ᓴᓂᕋᔭᒃ)
- Taloyoak (Talurjuaq, ᑕᓗᕐᔪᐊᖅ)
- Umingmaktok (Umingmaktuuq)
- Whale Cove (Tikirarjuaq, ᑎᑭᕋᕐᔪᐊᖅ)
See also
- List of indigenous peoples
