"Aboriginal peoples" is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. The Canadian constitution recognizes three groups of Aboriginal people: Indians (commonly referred to as First Nations), Métis and Inuit. These are three distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. More than one million people in Canada identify themselves as an Aboriginal person, according to the 2006 Census.

Aboriginal communities are located in urban, rural and remote locations across Canada. They include:

• First Nations or Indian Bands, generally located on lands called reserves;
• Inuit communities located in Nunavut, NWT, Northern Quebec (Nunavik) and Labrador;
• Métis communities; and
• communities of Aboriginal people (including Métis, Non-Status Indians, Inuit and First Nation individuals) in cities or towns which are not part of reserves or traditional territories (for example, the Aboriginal community in Winnipeg).

Role of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC)

AANDC's role is to support Aboriginal people (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) and Northerners in their efforts to:

• improve social well-being and economic prosperity;
• develop healthier, more sustainable communities; and
• participate more fully in Canada's political, social and economic development – for the benefit of all Canadians.

AANDC is one of the federal government departments responsible for meeting the Government of Canada's obligations and commitments to First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Through these responsibilities, AANDC helps to maintain and strengthen the relationship between the Government of Canada and Aboriginal people.

In addition, The Office of the Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians works with national Aboriginal organizations and provincial governments to find practical ways to improve the quality of life for Métis, non-status Indians and urban Aboriginal people. The Federal Interlocutor also co-ordinates the federal government's Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

What Information is Available?

Find information on Aboriginal people and communities, Aboriginal governance and international activities involving Canada's Aboriginal and Northern peoples.

Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples

• People to People, Nation to Nation: Highlights from the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. (1996)
• Address for the launch of the report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
• Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal Peoples (1996)

You may also be interested in:

• First Nations in Canada
• A History of Treaty-Making in Canada
• A History of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• Backgrounder - Aboriginal Title in Canada's Courts
• Land Claims
• Self-Government Agreements
• Terminology used by AANDC
• Canada Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable Website  
• You Wanted to Know – Most Frequently Asked Questions
• Procurement Strategy for Aboriginal Business
• AANDC's 50% Aboriginal Hiring Policy
• Historic Treaties
• Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy
• Definitions of Métis communities  
• Aboriginal Communities in Google Earth  
• Memorandum of Understanding Between the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (Canada) and the State Committee on Northern Affairs of the Russian Federation Concerning Cooperation on Aboriginal and Northern Development - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's response to the 2005-2006 Management Accountability Framework (MAF) assessment