I don’t think they mind First Nation, like aren’t offended by it. And while accurate, Inuit is their preference.
And whenever we say ‘the First Nations people of Canada’, we mean both groups. Both are native to this country yet clearly distinct.
The question crossed my mind as well. As far as I can gather First Nation distinguishes indigenous tribes from Canada (excluding Inuit and Métis) from tribes inhabiting the US.
(Although(from Wikipedia): " Individuals using the term outside Canada include supporters of the Cascadian independence movement as well as American tribes within the Pacific Northwest")
from Wikipedia:
While the word “Indian” is still a legal term, its use is erratic and in decline in Canada.[19][20] Some First Nations people consider the term offensive, while others prefer it to “aboriginal person/persons/people,” even though the term is a misnomer given to indigenous peoples of North America by European explorers who erroneously thought they had landed on the Indian subcontinent. The use of the term “Native Americans”, which the United States government and others have adopted, is not common in Canada.[15] It refers more specifically to the aboriginal peoples residing within the boundaries of the United States.[21]
There’s also just the deeper history: Eskimo groups came to this continent well ahead of Europeans, but many millennia after Indians / First Nations / etc., so they’re a distinct population wave. Eskimos are still found in Asia (in Siberia, anyway); Indians, not so much.
Good point Dr. Drake. That was my first thought. Glad you made it.
My guess is that a Yupik guy living in Canada would get called “First Nations” from time to time, just like a Nigerian guy living in the U.S. would get called “African-American” from time to time.
Exactly. Really, it’s probably three waves (though the details are sketchy): First, “everyone else” (called by some linguists and others “Amerindian”); second, the Na-Dene (that is, Athabaskans, Navajos, and a few Pacific Northwest tribes); third, the Inuit/Inupiat/Eskimos.
The Indians who object to the “Native American” designation often do so because America has never been all that good to them, and they don’t feel at all assimilated, even today.
I actually grew up on a reservation (Yakama Indian Reservation, eastern Washington State). My memories are that growing up in the 80s, the word “Indian” was used universally among members of the tribe, both among themselves and when dealing with others. In the last few years, “Native” has become more popular (you see a lot of “Native Pride” stuff) but “Indian” is still the most used term.