Aboriginal vs First Nation
Aboriginal and first nation refers to the same sect of people. It is hard to make out a difference between Aboriginal and first nation as they are the same. Though indigenous people are seen in many parts of the world, these two terms — Aboriginal and first nation ‘“ refers to indigenous people of Canada.
Of the two terms, Aboriginal is more commonly used than First Nations to describe all Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Aboriginal people in Canada include First Nations, Metis and Inuit. On the other hand, First Nations refer to indigenous people in Canada other than Metis and Inuit. So it can be seen that Aboriginal is used in the larger sense and refers to all indigenous people whereas First Nations is not like that. Most of the time, First Nations only refers to Indian people.
First Nations was a term that came into common usage in the 1980s. The term was coined to replace the term “Indian band” as some people found this term offensive. First Nations was first used at the joint council meeting of the National Indian Brotherhood and the Assembly of First Indians.
All the Aboriginal people have certain rights and even run governments. The aboriginal rights are those that the aboriginal people have got as a result of their ancestors’ longstanding use. The rights like hunting and fishing are some of the rights that they enjoy. But these rights vary from one group to another depending on the culture, tradition and practices. This is also the same case with First Nations.
Summary
1. It is hard to make out a difference between Aboriginal and first nation as they are the same.
2. Aboriginal is more commonly used than first nation to describe all Indigenous peoples of Canada.
3. Aboriginal peoples in Canada include First Nations, Metis and Inuit. On the other hand, First Nations refer to indigenous people in Canada other than Metis and Inuit.
4. Aboriginal is used in the larger sense and refers to all indigenous people whereas First Nations is not like that. Most of the time, First Nations only refers to Indian people.
5. First Nations was a term that came into common usage in the 1980s. The term was coined to replace the term “Indian band” as some people found this term as offensive.
6. All the Aborginal people have certain rights and even run governments. The aborginal rights are those that the aboriginal people have got as a result of their ancestors’ longstanding use.