Indigenous peoples, also called Aboriginal peoples, include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit groups. They are the original inhabitants of the land that is now known as Canada. According to the 2021 census, over 1.8 million individuals in Canada identify as Indigenous, making up 5 percent of the national population.
Note: This article is part of our archival content and belongs to a previous phase of our publication. Amaranth Magazine is now a dedicated literary magazine.
Demographics and Cultural Diversity
Despite facing significant challenges and the impact of colonialism, which has led to cultural losses in some cases, Indigenous cultures, languages, and social systems have played a vital role in Canada’s development and continue to thrive despite ongoing challenges.
In Canada, Indigenous peoples group into three main categories: the Inuit, mostly residing in the northern regions; The Métis, who have both European and Indigenous heritage, live mainly in the Prairie provinces and Ontario. and the First Nations, who were the first people to live in the areas south of the Arctic. The Indian Act further classifies Indigenous peoples into Status and Non-Status Indians.
Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, enshrines Indigenous rights. The federal government departments responsible for Indigenous affairs include Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Indigenous Services. Treaties between Indigenous nations and the Crown form the foundation of the alliance between Indigenous peoples and Canada.
The Indigenous population in Canada has been growing steadily, reflecting increased life expectancy, high birth rates, and more people identifying as Indigenous. From 2006 to 2016, the Indigenous population grew by 42.5 percent, and from 2016 to 2021, it grew by 9.4 percent. This population growth is significantly higher than that of the non-Indigenous population.
Many Indigenous communities reside both on and off reserves, with a significant presence in urban areas, especially among the Métis. The Inuit mainly live in their traditional Arctic territories. Despite the complexities and challenges they encounter, Indigenous peoples in Canada maintain a deep connection to their cultural heritage. They persist in advocating for their rights and recognition.
History of Indigenous Art in Canada
The history of Indigenous art in Canada goes back to the last Ice Age. Some of the oldest surviving artworks found date to around 5,000 years ago. Early Indigenous art includes decorative carvings and stone tools. These have been discovered primarily in British Columbia’s Lower Fraser region and other parts of Canada. Indigenous art has developed across three distinct periods: prehistoric, historic, and contemporary.
Prehistoric Art
Prehistoric art, discovered in areas such as the Fraser River delta and southern Ontario, features a range of carvings and pottery. Rock art, including petroglyphs, has been found throughout Canada. During this era, the impact of agriculture and settled village life from the eastern woodlands and Mexico brought about substantial shifts in Indigenous art.
Historic Art
Explorers and traders have documented historic or post-contact Indigenous art over the past 300 years. These regional groups often divide this art into seven categories, each with its own unique style and materials, influenced by both Indigenous traditions and European contact. For example, We know the Mi’kmaq of the Eastern Woodlands for their moose hair embroidery and beadwork. Meanwhile, the Iroquois of the Great Lakes region made wampum belts for recording treaties.
Prairie Indigenous art included painted buffalo hides and detailed beadwork. We recognize the Northwest Coast for its totem poles and masks. In these regions, the introduction of European materials and techniques significantly influenced the development of Indigenous art.
Contemporary Art
Contemporary Indigenous art continues to reflect the deep cultural heritage and adaptability of Indigenous peoples. While historical archaeologists and ethno-historians have greatly contributed to understanding the evolution of Indigenous art, contemporary artists build upon these traditions.
They use modern materials and themes. The art made today is a crucial expression of identity, resistance, and cultural continuity. It shows the resilience and creativity of Indigenous communities across Canada. Through ongoing study and appreciation, the rich history of Indigenous art continues to inform and inspire both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.
Music of Indigenous Peoples in Canada
Indigenous peoples in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, have rich and diverse musical traditions that reflect their cultural heritage. These traditions are integral to daily life and spiritual beliefs, encompassing a wide range of musical genres and styles. Traditional music, divided into social and ceremonial categories, features mainly vocal performances accompanied by drums, rattles, and flutes. Songs often pass down through oral tradition or come through dreams. Ceremonial music holds special sacred significance and is reserved for specific rituals.
Contemporary Indigenous music has seen artists like Buffy Sainte-Marie and A Tribe Called Red achieve success in genres such as country, rock, hip hop, and electronic music. Non-Indigenous styles influence them. Social commentary is a key theme in modern Indigenous music, addressing issues like environmental concerns and cultural appropriation.
Institutions such as Indigenous-owned recording studios and radio stations have supported the growth of Indigenous music in Canada. These entities promote and distribute both traditional and contemporary Indigenous music. Organizations such as the Indigenous Music Awards recognize and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous musical expression across the country.
Events like Aboriginal Music Week in Winnipeg highlight the vitality and importance of Indigenous music, giving artists from diverse Indigenous backgrounds a platform to share their music and cultural heritage with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.
These efforts have led to a resurgence and appreciation of Indigenous musical traditions, fostering cultural pride and understanding within and beyond Indigenous communities. Overall, Indigenous music in Canada reflects a dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation, preserving ancestral practices while embracing contemporary influences. It serves as a powerful means of cultural expression, identity affirmation, and social commentary, bridging historical legacies with present-day realities, and asserting Indigenous voices in the cultural landscape of Canada and beyond.
Global Context and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Overview of Global Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples represent over 5,000 different groups worldwide, accounting for approximately 476 million people or 6.2% of the global population. They are spread across more than 90 countries and speak over 4,000 languages. Despite the diversity in their customs and cultures, Indigenous peoples often face common challenges such as human rights violations, marginalization, and discrimination.
Authorities frequently evict them from their ancestral lands and deny them access to essential services like education, healthcare, and housing. Indigenous human rights defenders face threats, attacks, and even death, often with state complicity. Additionally, poverty, landlessness, malnutrition, and internal displacement disproportionately affect Indigenous peoples. This situation often leads to higher rates of illiteracy, unemployment, and lower life expectancy.
Defining Indigenous Identity and Inclusive Language
Indigenous identity is primarily based on self-identification and a deep ancestral link to territories inhabited before colonization. These communities uphold unique social, economic, and political systems, languages, cultures, and beliefs, despite enduring political and social marginalization.
The term ‘Indigenous peoples’ is preferred in international human rights documents, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It underscores their right to self-determination. Other terms such as “communities,” “groups,” and “minorities” are used at times. We should apply them carefully to avoid undermining the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Human Rights Violations and Climate Impact
Indigenous peoples endure severe human rights violations, including forced assimilation and loss of land. They also encounter restricted access to public services, which contributes to cultural erasure and abuse. Their rights to land ownership are often disregarded, with lands frequently taken for resource extraction or conservation efforts. Additionally, Indigenous communities face increased risks during public health emergencies.
They disproportionately bear the impacts of climate change, which threaten their livelihoods and ecosystems. Despite these challenges, Indigenous peoples play a vital role in conserving biodiversity. Their traditional knowledge is essential in efforts to combat climate change.
References:
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-people
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-art-in-canada
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/first-peoples-music
https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/indigenous-peoples/
