| How can I tell where an Aboriginal person is from? |
Their name can often give you a good idea, or knowing what part of the country they're from, but the best way is always just to ask them! |
| Do First Nations people all speak the same language? |
No way! There are actually 53 different First Nations languages spoken in Canada, and that's without including the different dialects of these languages! |
| Can First Nations people from different groups in Canada understand one another? |
Some of the 53 languages have common roots, so speakers of these languages can communicate fairly well. Other languages are completely, totally different. For instance, Haida and Mi'kmaq speakers would certainly have to speak English to understand one another. |
| Do all First Nations people live in First Nations communities? |
No. Slightly more than half of all First Nations people in Canada live in towns and cities. |
| What are pow-wows? Can anyone go to a pow-wow? |
Pow-wows today are celebrations of Aboriginal culture, especially dance and music. They are open to anyone who wants to enjoy learning about and experiencing Aboriginal cultures. They are also a good way to meet and talk to Aboriginal people in your area and, of course, to meet old friends and make new ones! |
| Why are Elders considered to be so special? |
Elders are greatly respected for their patience and understanding, their life experiences, and their knowledge of traditional culture and language. |
| How did Aboriginal people get through the really cold winters in Canada many years ago? |
Aboriginal people prepared for the harsh winter season by storing much food and supplies and moving their camps to more sheltered places. They also wore many layers of warmer clothing, a technique now widely used as the most efficient way to keep both warm and dry in cold weather. |
| Are there any famous Aboriginal people in Canada's history? |
Lots of them! A partial list would include the famous leaders Chief Crowfoot (Blackfoot, Alberta) and Joseph Brant (Mohawk, Ontario) as well as television actor Jay Silverheels (Mohawk, Ontario), but there are many, many others. |
| Do First Nations people still wear feathers, beads, deerskin and things like that? |
Some of them do, but only for special ceremonies or for competition dancing at pow-wows. Aboriginal people today dress the same as everyone else. |
| What do Inuit kids do for fun? |
They play traditional Inuit games, as well as most of the same things you probably do for fun. |
| Why are some First Nations called "bands" and others are called "tribes"? |
In Canada, First Nations are sometimes referred to as "bands"; in the United States they are often called "tribes". Many bands today prefer to be called First Nations. |
| Is the word "reserve" still used for where First Nations people live? |
Yes. It describes land set aside by the federal government for Band use. |
| What kind of houses do Aboriginal people live in? Do they still live in tipis and igloos? |
First Nations and Inuit stopped living in traditional dwellings such as tipis, longhouses (First Nations) and igloos (Inuit) many, many years ago. Today, Aboriginal people live in the same kind of houses as everyone else in whatever part of Canada they live in. |
| Do Inuit still use igloos and dog sleds? |
Yes and no. On hunting trips the igloo has mostly been replaced by modern, lightweight tents, although good survival training still teaches how to build one for use in an emergency. The use of dog sleds was discontinued decades ago in favour of snowmobiles, although they are still very popular with tourists in the North! |
| Do First Nations people still wear long braids? |
Some of the men still do, and of course many women do as well, but modern hairstyles are far more common. |
| Do Inuit still hunt seals and other animals for food? What do Aboriginal people eat? |
Some Inuit still hunt for traditional game such as seals and caribou, but except at special feasts, most Inuit and First Nations people shop at the local grocery store and eat the same foods as you! |
