Aboriginal Culture and Storytelling Aboriginal People In Canada

Aboriginal Culture and Storytelling

Aboriginal People – In Canada, the term Aboriginal means that this group of people is descended from the original inhabitants of North America – Aboriginal people are divided into three groups by the Canadian Federal Government: those who are classified as being Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit

Definitions: Metis and Inuit – The Metis are aboriginal people who have both European and Indigenous heritage – The Inuit are aboriginal people who live in Northern Canada (Nunavut, NWT, Northern Quebec, and Northern Labrador)

Definitions: First Nations and Indigenous – First Nation(s) – a term used to identify Indigenous peoples of Canada who are neither Métis nor Inuit – Not a legal term, but this term is a more respectful term that replaces the more offensive term “Indian” and “Indian band” – First Nations refers to both “status” and “non-status” Aboriginal people

Indigenous and Aboriginal – Aboriginal is a legal term that is used in the Constitution to refer to Indigenous peoples – These terms include Metis and Inuit people

What are Status Cards? – Do you have a cultural identity that is different from that of your Canadian identity? – How do you know this? – Can you prove it? – According to the government, Aboriginal people must fit specific criteria to be categorized as such and are given “status cards” to identify themselves

Oral Tradition – Stories are passed on from generation to generation through stories told by elders to the younger generations – Through stories, Indigenous people learn about how the world was created

Spiritual Beliefs – traditions and values are greatly respected because they're viewed as a gift from the Creator – belief that humans and nature should live in harmony with one another – nature and all it contains are treated with great respect – give thanks for taking from nature

Symbolism of the eagle – Sacred – “Master of the Skies” – “signifies focus, great strength, peace, leadership and incredible prestige” – Believed to: – have the closest relationship with the Creator – be able to travel between the physical and spiritual world

Works Cited – Accessed 11 March 2018: – https: //www. ictinc. ca/blog/indigenous-peoples-terminology-guidelines-forusage – https: //www. aadnc-aandc. gc. ca/eng/1307460755710/1307460872523 – Accessed 13 March 2018: – https: //spiritsofthewestcoast. com/collections/the-eagle-symbol