When did the term 'First Nations' come into use?

The term 'First Nations' came into use in the 1970s, becoming the modern way to refer to one of the three constitutionally recognized groups of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Before this term entered common use, other names had been applied to these peoples in official Canadian documents and in everyday speech, but the adoption of 'First Nations' reflected a shift toward terminology preferred by Indigenous peoples themselves and a broader public recognition of their distinct status as the original inhabitants of the land that became Canada.

The Canadian Constitution and the Oath of Citizenship together formally recognize three distinct Aboriginal groups: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Every new Canadian, when taking the Oath, swears or affirms that they will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, 'including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.' This phrasing places the three groups on equal constitutional footing and embeds their recognition into the very moment a person becomes a Canadian citizen.

The widespread adoption of 'First Nations' is significant because it underscores that these peoples were the first inhabitants of what is now Canada, with organized societies and self-government long before European settlers arrived on these shores. The term also clearly distinguishes First Nations from the Inuit (Aboriginal peoples whose homelands are in the Arctic) and the Métis (peoples of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry), each of whom has a separate cultural, historical, and legal identity recognized by Canada's highest law.

This terminology matters for every prospective Canadian citizen because the three group names appear directly in the Oath of Citizenship that every new citizen must swear or affirm. By taking the Oath, a new citizen pledges to observe Canada's Constitution, 'which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.' Understanding that 'First Nations' is the modern term that came into use in the 1970s, and knowing how it differs from Inuit and Métis, shows respect for the distinct identities and constitutional rights of Canada's Aboriginal peoples and reflects the values of diversity, inclusion, and the rule of law that the citizenship guide emphasizes throughout.