A Decade of Changing Language
It has been ten years since the Government of Canada officially set aside the term "Aboriginal" in favour of "Indigenous" in its official language and communications. The shift was meant to reflect a more accurate and respectful way of referring to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country. A decade later, that change is being revisited, with leaders and advocates reflecting on what the shift accomplished — and what still needs to be worked out.
Why Words Matter
Terminology carries weight, especially when it comes to how governments, institutions and everyday Canadians refer to entire peoples and nations. "Aboriginal" was, for years, the standard umbrella term used in Canadian law, policy and public discourse. Its replacement with "Indigenous" was part of a broader push to align Canada's language with terms more widely used and accepted on the international stage, and to move away from language some felt was imposed rather than chosen.
But as advocates point out, even "Indigenous" is itself an umbrella term. It groups together First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, three distinct groups with their own histories, cultures, languages and relationships with the Canadian state. For many, the more accurate and respectful approach is to use specific nation, community or group names whenever possible, rather than defaulting to a single collective label at all.
An Ongoing Conversation
Ten years on, the discussion about terminology hasn't been resolved so much as it has continued to evolve. Leaders and advocates continue to weigh in on what terms best serve First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and there's recognition that language is not static — what feels appropriate and respectful today may shift again in the years ahead as communities, governments and institutions keep talking, listening and adjusting.
That ongoing nature is, in some ways, the point. Rather than treating the move from "Aboriginal" to "Indigenous" as a one-time fix, many involved in these conversations see it as one step in a longer process of getting language right — a process that requires continued input from the communities the terms are meant to describe in the first place.
Why This Matters for Canadians
For everyday Canadians, the anniversary is a reminder that the words used in official government communication aren't arbitrary — they're the product of ongoing dialogue with Indigenous leaders and communities. As this conversation continues, it offers Canadians a chance to think more carefully about the language they use, and to recognize that respectful terminology often means being specific rather than reaching for a single catch-all word.
Source: CBC News
