Unit 1 Flashcards
Worldview
How a group of people sees and understands the world, including their beliefs, values, and way of life.
First Nations
Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Métis or Inuit. They have distinct cultures, languages, and traditions.
Inuvialuit
A specific group of Inuit who live in the western Arctic region of Canada.
Aboriginal
A term formerly used in Canada to refer to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. It has largely been replaced by “Indigenous.”
Native
A broad term that refers to people who were the first to live in a particular place. It is sometimes used instead of “Indigenous.”
“Indian”
An outdated and inaccurate term used in Canada to describe Indigenous peoples. It comes from European explorers mistakenly believing they had reached India. Some Indigenous people use the term for legal purposes.
Indigenous
A modern term for the original peoples of a land, used globally, including in Canada, to refer to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
Eskimo
An outdated and offensive term for Inuit peoples, mainly used in the past by outsiders. Inuit prefer to be called by their correct name.
Status vs. Non-Status
Status Indigenous People: Legally recognized by the Canadian government under the Indian Act, with certain rights and benefits.
Non-Status Indigenous People: Not officially recognized under the Indian Act, often due to past laws that removed their status.
Treaty vs. Non-Treaty
Treaty Indigenous People: Belong to a First Nation that signed a treaty with the Canadian government, which may include land and resource agreements.
Non-Treaty Indigenous People: Belong to a group that did not sign a treaty and may have different legal rights.
On-Settlement vs. Off-Settlement
On-Settlement: Living in an Indigenous community or designated land.
Off-Settlement: Living outside of an Indigenous community, often in cities or towns.
Bill C-31
A 1985 Canadian law that restored “Indian Status” to people who had lost it due to past discriminatory policies, like women who married non-Indigenous men.
Removal of Status / Enfranchisement
The process of taking away a person’s Indigenous status, often done in the past to force assimilation into European culture.
Holistic
Looking at everything as connected, considering the whole picture instead of just one part (common in Indigenous worldviews).
Four Spheres of Human Experience (Medicine Wheel)
A teaching tool that shows how life is balanced in four areas:
Physical (body)
Mental (thoughts)
Emotional (feelings)
Spiritual (connection to the Creator or nature)
Private Property
Land or objects owned by an individual, rather than shared by a community.
Hierarchy
A system where some people have more power or rank than others.
Sovereign States
Independent countries that have their own government and control over their land.
Differences Between Indigenous & European (Western) Worldviews
Matrilineal vs. Patrilineal/Paternalism: Many Indigenous cultures trace family through the mother’s side (matrilineal), while European societies traditionally followed the father’s side (patrilineal).
Cyclical vs. Linear Time
Indigenous cultures often see time as a cycle (seasons, nature, renewal), while European cultures see time as a straight line (past, present, future).
Written vs. Oral Tradition
Indigenous cultures pass knowledge through storytelling, while European cultures rely on written records.
Abstract vs. Linear Language Structure
Indigenous languages often focus on relationships and context, while European languages are more direct and structured.
Inclusive vs. Exclusive
Indigenous cultures tend to include and involve everyone, while European systems often create strict categories and separations.
