Why Aren’t Inuit Called First Nations People?
Before I dive into this topic, a quick disclaimer is in order: I am a white woman. I speak on these topics from an academic position, not from personal experience. I do have a B.A. in Native Studies and owe a lot of my foundational knowledge about First Nations issues and history to my First Nations professors and their colleagues: Dr. Roland Chrisjohn, Shaunessy McKay, and Tanya Wasacase. I have built on this knowledge with careful research and have made an effort to include more indigenous voices within those sources. The reason I want to write about these issues is because I feel it is important to use my voice to help dispel misconceptions and misinformation.
Now, to the topic at hand.
Terminology and labelling of indigenous peoples in Canada is a complicated issue, just like it is throughout the rest of the world. It’s important to acknowledge right out of the gate that terms like “First Nations”, “Native American”, “American Indian”, etc. are designed to lump hundreds of distinct groups across thousands of miles of different territories into one monolithic identity. As such, these terms are always going to fall short and be rife with conflict, controversy, and colonialism. Where possible, use tribe, band, or nation names.[1] So, for example, if you know someone is Cree, refer to them by that term instead of broadly calling them First Nations.
For Inuit people specifically, that explanation requires a quick lesson on Canadian politics and history.
When the Indian Act was created in 1876, it defined (and continues to define) who is legally recognized as a “Status Indian” and thus receives specific rights.[2] Though the term “Indian” has fallen out of use as a general label for indigenous people and is now considered offensive in Canada, it remains in place as a legal term relating to the Indian Act and people with Indian Status.[2][3] Thus, only people with legal status can be referred to as Indian, and only in the context of discussing their legal identity.
When the term Indian fell out of use as a broad label, it was replaced by the term “First Nations” in Canada. It is used to identify anyone in Canada who is Aboriginal (another term for indigenous), except for the Inuit and Métis.[3] Anyone who was previously referred to as Indian regardless of legal status is now referred to as First Nations. All people with Indian Status are First Nations people, but not all First Nations people are legal Indians.
This distinction is important in understanding why the Inuit are not First Nations. See, both Inuit and Métis people have historically been excluded from the Indian Act. They cannot have Indian Status. This, in turn, means they can’t receive rights granted to Status Indians through the Indian Act.[2] Thus, part of what is signified by the term “Inuit” is that they are indigenous people living in the Canadian north who are not considered Indian under Canadian law.[3] Because First Nations has largely replaced the term Indian and is associate with indigenous peoples of Canada who have Indian Status or who’s families have historically had Indian Status, the label of “First Nations” can be insensitive and inappropriate when applied to Inuit people.[1][2]
However, regardless of the specific details of why one label is preferred over another, it is always important to listen to the voices and opinions of indigenous peoples (and other oppressed or disadvantages groups) in relation to what they do or do not want to be called. Even if you don’t understand the exact reasoning for it, you can still respect it.
Sources:
1) Yellow Bird, Michael. 1999. “What We Want to be Called: Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives on Racial and Ethnic Identity Labels.” American Indian Quarterly 23(2): 1–21.
2) Indigenous Foundations. 2009a. ‘Indian Status.’ Retrieved September 23, 2019 (https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/indian_status/).
3) Indigenous Foundations. 2009b. ‘Terminology.’ Retrieved September 23, 2019 (https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/terminology/).
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Originally published to Vocal in 2019.
