ABORIGINAL PEOPLES
The term Aboriginal is comprised of the Latin prefix ab meaning from, and the Latin word originalis meaning origin. All rights, customs, and institutions, which derive from indigenous inhabitants of North America and their way of life.

ABORIGINAL RIGHTS
Aboriginal rights are those rights, which peoples have due to traditional use and occupancy of land. These rights encompass all aspects of life, including culture land and tradition

ASSIMILATION
The process where by traditional Aboriginal identity was absorbed into mainstream culture. Traditional First Nations culture is lost.

BAND
A group of First Nations people for whom lands have been set aside and money is held by the Crown. The members of the band generally share common values, traditions and practices rooted in their language and custom.

CAUCUS
An Algonkian word that describes a meeting of council to make policy decisions and select leaders.

CONSENSUS
General accord, group agreement.

CONFEDERATION
A group of people or organizations brought together for a common purpose.

EGALITARIAN
Full political and social equality for all.

ELDER
This is the title given to a respected individual from the Aboriginal community who is a keeper of tradition and worldview. Age may be a factor, but not a prerequisite.

FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION
Fiduciary Obligation is legal duty of one party to look after the well being of another. Provincial and Federal governments have fiduciary obligations that require them to consult with and meet the concerns of the particular provinces Aboriginal people, whenever possible.

FIRST NATION
A term, which came in to usage in the 1970's to replace the word "Indian" which many people, found offensive. First Nations refers to those people who are decedents of the original inhabitants of Canada.

GOVERNMENT
A system by which a political unit is governed.

HIERARCHICAL
A system, which ranks persons and things in order of, perceived importance and worth.

INDIAN ACT
The Indian Act is federal legislation that sets out certain federal government obligations and responsibilities toward First Nations and reserve lands. The first act was passed in 1876 and is presently under going another major change.

INHERENT RIGHTS
These are rights with which one is born.

INUIT
Aboriginal people in northern Canada, living above the tree line in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northern Quebec and Labrador. The Indian Act does not cover the Inuit people but the federal government makes laws concerning them.

METIS PEOPLE
People of mixed First Nations and European ancestry who identify themselves as Metis people and are accepted as such by a Metis leadership.

NATION
A group of people with a common history, language, and culture that use a particular territory and live upon it, and use a unique system of governance.

SELF GOVERNMENT
Governments designed, and administered by Aboriginal peoples.

SOVEREIGNTY
Possessing supreme authority. A nation that is sovereign is independent and free, with the right to a territory of its own.

TREATY
A solemn agreement negotiated between sovereign nations.

TREATIES
Treaties are instruments used by the crown to clear lands of Aboriginal title so that settlement and resource development could proceed.

TREATY RIGHTS
Rights that are provided for in the treaties made between the First Nations of Canada and the Crown or the government of Canada. These rights are stated in all numbered treaties and have become obligations that the crown must live up to.

USUFRUCTUARY
The right to use a certain parcel of land, as in hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering, but without full ownership over that land. Allowed to use game for personal use.

WORLDVIEW
This is a particular philosophy or view of life.

VALUES
Involves one's principles or standards or judgments about what is valuable or important in life.