DCHP-2

Aboriginal aboriginal, < classical Latin ab origine 'from the beginning' DCHP-2 (July 2017)

• 1 adj. — Aboriginal

  of or relating to the Indian, First Nation, Métis or Inuit peoples of Canada.

  Type: 4. Culturally Significant — Aboriginal is generally applied to any person, plant or animal that has existed in a place since its earliest times (OED-3, s.v. "aboriginal"). As outlined by Section 35 of the 1982 Constitution Act, Aboriginal in the Canadian context refers specifically to the "Indian, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada" (see Justice Laws Canada reference). Though the term is also commonly used to describe the indigenous peoples of Australia (see Indigenous Foundations: Terminology reference), it appears most frequently in Canada (see Chart 1). This term is currently the broadest collective legal category for indigenous peoples in Canada. However, indigenous as an alternative is gaining popularity due to its recognition on an international level and its inclusive nature "without respect to national boundaries or local conventions" (see Indigenous Foundations: Aboriginal Identity & Terminology reference).
  See also Gage-5, s.v. "aboriginal" (2), which is described as being used in Canada, ITP Nelson, s.v. "aboriginal" (2b).

  See also: Indian  Inuit  Métis  First Nation  numbered treaty  Amerindian  assimilation  Native Canadian (meaning 2)  Aboriginal language  

  • The use of the adjective, e.g. Aboriginal culture is uncontroversial, yet use as a noun, e.g. the Aboriginal(s), to refer to (a member of) Canada's indigenous population is not recommended. See usage note with meaning 2, noun. A recent government of Canada publication recommends that the word used to refer to people or their culture should be capitalized (Ross 2003).

• 2 n. — Aboriginal

  an Aboriginal inhabitant of Canada.

  Type: 4. Culturally Significant — See meaning 1.

  See also: Amerind (meaning 1)  Native Canadian (meaning 1)  

  • The recommended use when referring to a person or people is with a noun compound, i.e. Aboriginal people, woman, man etc., rather than as a simple noun, i.e. Aboriginal(s), which may carry negative connotations (see NAHO reference).