Language is Everything

Hi Friends,

I've been thinking about the language used by various levels of government when dealing with First Nation issues. I have taken the time to look up the varied names used by the various groups to define us.(the indigenous - aboriginal people of this, the north American continent)

These definitions include aboriginal, native, and Indian, as well as the correct term indigenous.
Aboriginal is defined as earliest known inhabitants. The trouble with this term still leaves us as immigrants in our own country. (ab) Latin for: away from. Native: born or connected with a place of birth. Any new Canadian who has a child born here, hence is raising a native Canadian.Then the truest misnomer: Indian. This has come to be a definition of American indigenous peoples (except the Metis or Inuit) as well as any citizen of India or of the East Indies. First Nations is a term born here in Canada and as such can easily be piggy backed onto any other definition for what ever purpose.


The more correct term (one the Canadian Government is loath to use) is indigenous. Meaning to have originated in. The problem with the Canadian Government, or any other colonizing governments use of this word is around the term, terra nullius, which is a Latin term meaning "land belonging to no one"

This goes a long way in explaining Canada's reluctance and even out right opposition to the signing of the indigenous peoples bill of rights,... or is that just me?

I would caution all the Nations out there making your membership/citizenship codes to use proper terminology around this very important issue.
Here is an interesting site (follow the links) to check out. All other information and definitions can be gathered from Wikipedia.

The Canadian government has sought to do away with us in many ways...linguistic genocide can be yet another...beware.

def. for terra nullius

def. of indigenous plus just a great site to check out.

Regards;

Debra