First Nations

First Nations are one of the three distinct groups of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. There are approximately 756,700 First Nations people living in more than 630 First Nations communities, as well as rural and urban areas. There is incredible diversity among First Nations; there are more than fifty nations and languages. The number of First Nations people living on reserve is young and growing rapidly, with over 50 per cent under 23 years of age.

First Nations peoples have governed their affairs for centuries. Their unique customs, languages, cultural practices, spiritual beliefs and traditional political structures are intrinsically tied to their traditional territories.

Declaration of First Nations (Source: Assembly of First Nations)

• We, the Original Peoples of this land, know the Creator put us here

• The Creator gave us laws that govern all our relationships to live in harmony with nature and mankind

• The Laws of the Creator defined our rights and responsibilities

• The Creator gave us our spiritual beliefs, our languages, our culture and a place on Mother Earth, which provided us with all our needs

• We have maintained our Freedom, our Languages and our Traditions from time immemorial

• We continue to exercise the rights, and fulfill the responsibilities and obligations given to us by the Creator for the land upon which we were placed

• The Creator has given us the right to govern ourselves and the right to self-determination

• The rights and responsibilities given to us by the creator cannot be altered or taken away by any other Nation

For more information about the First Nations in Canada, visit the Assembly of First Nations.