Ontario Chiefs concerned about change from "Indian" to "Aboriginal" by feds

News Release
Chiefs of Ontario

The subtle name change of the former Department of Indian and Northern Affairs made in Prime Minister Harper’s announcement of the new federal cabinet raises significant concerns. The announcement stated the Honourable John Duncan would remain as the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development -a name change substituting the term “Indian”, which has specific legal and historical connotations for First Nations, with the inappropriate term “Aboriginal”
The term”Aboriginal” was first utilized by the government of Canada in the Constitution Act, 1982, to lump First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples under one category. The term has been widely rejected as it fails to acknowledge the distinct cultures, histories, and rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
“It is disconcerting to have to remind the government of Canada to make the distinction between First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples,” stated Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. “The usage of the term “Aboriginal” is dismissive of the sacred relationship and obligations which were clearly established in the Treaties between First Nations and the Crown. Using the term “Aboriginal” reveals indifference towards First Nations’ right to self-determination, a principle enshrined in Article 3 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The government should be focused on treaty implementation, advancing solutions for education, and improvements to First Nations’ socio-economic conditions - not on playing semantic games.”
The role of the former Department of Indian and Northern Affairs is to assist in facilitating the unique relationship established through the Treaties between First Nations and the Crown. As such, utilization of the term “Aboriginal” in the title of the Department is completely inappropriate and is in blatant disregard of this relationship.
“I find it strange that the Department would make this announcement while at the same time undertaking an ‘exploratory process’ on First Nations citizenship. It leads me to question how the results of that process will be applied...unilaterally and in disrespect of our wishes?” noted Regional Chief Toulouse, “It seems like something small, but to the Indigenous Peoples in this country, whom are still trying to recover from the effects of colonization (which includes recovering our traditional ways of being and identities), this is actually a big issue.”
The Chiefs of Ontario is a political coordinating body for the 133 First Nation communities located within the boundaries of the province of Ontario.