INDG Unit 1 Activity- final draft
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What role does terminology play in understanding Indigenous peoples?
1.
What role does terminology play in terms of understanding Indigenous Peoples? Provide examples.
Terminology plays a crucial role in understanding Indigenous Peoples because it shapes how we perceive and communicate about Indigenous cultures, histories, and identities. Terminology can be critical for Indigenous Populations, as the term used may have been forced on them by colonizers. Using the wrong terminology can be very damaging and disrespectful. On
the other hand, terms can empower individuals to self-identify. Using accurate and respectful terminology is helpful in avoiding stereotypes or misconceptions (Indigenous Foundations Terminology, 2018, p.1). Examples include using the word Aborigines
, which is considered a derogatory term when referring to the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. This word is more commonly used when talking about Indigenous Peoples whose roots stem from Australia
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(Terminology and Writing Guide, n.d.,p.2). This is a term that cannot be used in reference to Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
The second example of incorrect terminology is the term Indian, this word is used by the Canadian Nation-State in government policy. The term is racist and rooted in colonialism and is only to be used in reference to legal documents (Terminology and Writing Guide, n.d., 2).
Lastly, we should always capitalize Indigenous as it shows respect (University of Waterloo, 2017). 2.
What are the three legal categories of Aboriginal people, and how does this impact the various groups of Indigenous peoples?
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. These are the three groups defined as Aboriginal people of
Canada in the Constitution Act, of 1982 (Government of Canada, 2021). Legally using these terms is important and impacts each category of Indigenous Peoples because it acknowledges the
rights and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples, section 35 of the 1982 Constitution Act guaranteed
Indigenous rights but did not define them (Johnson, 2019). These rights are said to include rights
to the land, rights to resources and activities, the right to self-determination and self-government,
and the right to practice one’s culture and customs including language and religion (Erin Hanson,
2009).
3.
List the many problems of interpretation mentioned in your readings. What is the significance of each to Aboriginal people outlined in s. 35 of the Constitution Act?
The term Indian
is an offensive and incorrect term that can only be used when historically
referenced or in a legal document as I mentioned when answering the first question. Secondly, the term Native
, this word is considered outdated and offensive because of its vagueness. Using
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this word shows a lack of respect for the various cultures of Indigenous Peoples (McCue, 2020). We also should not use Our Native People
, or Indigenous
Canadians
, when referring to any Indigenous Peoples. It implies that Indigenous people belong to Canada. (University of Waterloo,
2021,7). The significance of S. 35 of the Constitution Act is that it recognizes and affirms Aboriginal rights, stating that Metis, Inuit, and First Nations have the rights to land and resources, by defining the three groups specifically and not using any improper terminology.
References
Government of Canada, S. C. (2021, September 27). Aboriginal group of person
. Government of
Canada, Statistics Canada. https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3Var.pl?
Function=DECI&Id=246581
Haas, B. R. (2022, May 10). Rights and privileges of Indigenous Canadians
. Immigroup. https://www.immigroup.com/topics/rights-and-privileges-indigenous-canadians/
#:~:text=Historically%20the%20Indian%20Act%20has,for%20band%20council%20and
%20chief
Harvey A. McCue, H. A. (2020, May 11). Indian
. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-term#:~:text=Therefore%2C
%20Aboriginal%20(like%20Indian),many%20because%20of%20its%20vagueness
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Indigenous foundations terminology - TVO ILC
. Indigenous Foundations terminology. (2018). https://courseware-www.ilc.org/chi4u_html/assets/locker_docs/chi4u_01_indigenous_term
inology.pdf Johnson, R. (2019, April 28). Exploring identity: Who are the Métis and what are their rights? | CBC News
. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/metis-identity-history-rights-
explainer-1.5098585
Terminology and Writing Guide, (n.d.). https://universityofmanitoba.desire2learn.com/content/enforced3/572455-24484.202390/
Terminology%20and%20Writing%20Guide.pdf?
_&d2lSessionVal=9brCeDXWxZhygc1mSaSpk3A1w&ou=572455
University of Waterloo. (2021). Indigenous Terminology Guide 13aug21 - University of Waterloo
. I N D I G E N O U S T E R M I N O L O G Y G U I D E. https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/indigenous-
terminology-guide.pdf
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