Indigenous Peoples language

Many common errors in editing and publishing content about or by Indigenous Peoples come from not working in a culturally appropriate way¹. Working in a culturally appropriate way involves showing respect for Indigenous protocols and values, both in the work process and in the final content. This is best accomplished through collaboration.

AU works collaboratively with Indigenous colleagues with Nukskahtowin and elsewhere within the university so that language about Indigenous Peoples and issues is respectful and upholds our values and commitment to reconciliation. When in doubt, please consult with Nukskahtowin.

Our acknowledgement statement

Athabasca University respectfully acknowledges that we live and work on the Traditional Lands of the Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) of Canada. We honour the ancestry, heritage, and gifts of the Indigenous Peoples and give thanks to them.

Longer version for speaking engagements

Athabasca University, Canada's Online University, is proud to welcome a diversity of learners from all over Canada.

We celebrate and acknowledge Indigenous heritage, including the Ancestral Lands on which our buildings are located today in Athabasca. Athabasca University is located on the Traditional Territory of the Cree and the Métis. It is a meeting ground and home for many Indigenous Peoples.

We respectfully acknowledge that we live and work on the Traditional Lands of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada and we honour the ancestry, heritage, and gifts of Indigenous Peoples and give thanks to them.

---

Indigenous vs. Aboriginal

Use the term Indigenous over Aboriginal. Some terms can never be stricken from terminology, including Indian or Aboriginal because there are government official documents that still use these terms. However, internal and external communications for AU should always use Indigenous unless referring to these official documents.

---

Indigenous style vs. CP style

AU follows principles outlined in Elements of Indigenous Style when writing about Indigenous topics and Indigenous Peoples. One of these principles is that, when there is a disagreement between Canadian Press style and Indigenous style, defer to Indigenous style.

---

Capitalization

Indigenous style uses capitalization where conventional style does not. This is a deliberate decision to decolonize language and terms that have been used to oppress and devalue Indigenous Peoples. Terms for Indigenous identities, Indigenous governmental, social, spiritual and religious institutions, and Indigenous collective rights should be capitalized.

Capitalized terms

• Aboriginal
• First Nations
• First Peoples
• Indigenous, Indigenous Peoples (but Indigenous people, Indigenous person)
• Inuit
• Inuk (singular noun for an individual)
• Métis (but Métis scrip)
• Survivor
• Two-Spirit
• Knowledge Keeper

Capitalized Indigenous institutions

• Ancestors
• Ceremony
• Chief
• Clan, Clan System, Matriarch
• Creator, Creation
• Elder
• Indigenous Voice
• Longhouse
• Medicine Man, Medicine Woman
• Midewiwin/Midewin
• Oral Tradition
• Potlatch
• Protocols (cultural)
• Sacred Pipe Ceremony, Pipe Carrier
• Seven Fires
• Sundance
• Sweat Lodge
• Traditional Knowledge
• Vision Quest
• Warrior Society
• Wampum, Wampum Belt

Capitalized terms for Indigenous collective rights

• Indigenous Land, Indigenous Title, Traditional Territory
• Indigenous Right
• Status Indian
• Treaty Right
• Treaty 6 (but Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations)

Capitalization related to truth and reconciliation, residential schools, MMIW2S

• Calls to Action, Call to Action No. 94
• residential schools, Indian residential school
• truth and reconciliation (but Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada)
• missing, murdered, Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit (but National Inquiry into Missing, Murdered, Indigenous Women and Girls)
• Sixties Scoop

---

Terms to avoid

AU does not use the terms Native or Indian. The exception would be Indian when referring to government official documents. These terms should also never be used:

• artifact
• band (describes something looser than nation, people, or society)
• Canada's Indigenous Peoples, our Aboriginal Peoples, First Peoples of Canada, Indigenous Peoples of Canada
• clan (as a lowercase term)
• discovery (when describing European arrival, uncovering of mass graves)
• Eskimo
• folklore
• Indian (unless referring to official government documents. Otherwise, use First Nations or Indigenous Peoples)
• land claim (Indigenous Title is more appropriate)
• legends, mythology, myths, tales (use Oral Traditions, Traditional Stories)
• Native
• peace pipe (a made-up “Indigenous object” or “Indigenous ceremony”)
• prehistory
• rain/war dance
• ritual/ritualistic
• self-government (use self-determination)
• tomahawk
• tom-tom
• tribe/tribal (like band, it describes something looser than nation, society, people. It is used more in the U.S.)

---

Indigenous trauma

Writing about Indigenous trauma takes extreme sensitivity and must be guided by the principle of “do no more harm.” Do research to ensure you're conducting interviews in a way that does not re-traumatize the subject. Content that references residentials schools, Sixties Scoop, or murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit require a trigger warning. When in doubt, please consult with Nukskahtowin.

---

Specific editorial issues

Indigenous Peoples is a pan-Indigenous term. Avoid when a more specific word applies and try to be as specific as possible. For example, if you know someone is Cree, refer to them as Cree instead of First Nations. Use words that people use themselves. For example:

• Write: Theresa Cardinal is Cree from Saddle Lake Nation.
• Not: Teresa Cardinal is an Indigenous person.

Avoid possessives that offend such as Canada's Indigenous Peoples, which implies Indigenous Peoples are “owned” by settler states. Indigenous Peoples assert sovereignty, and many do not identify as Canadian.

Be aware of colonial language relating to agency when discussing Indigenous issues. Words like allow, grant, demand, or permit are problematic. Do not relegate Indigenous Peoples to a passive voice or use verbs that denote control. Indigenous Peoples do not need to be permitted to act on their own land.³ For example, the Nisga'a did not spend a century demanding Indigenous Title to their Traditional Territory. They spent a century asserting Indigenous Title to their Traditional Territory.

Stakeholder is another term widely used in corporate contexts to refer to partners. However, it carries negative connotations for many Indigenous Peoples and should be avoided. Indigenous Peoples are not simply stakeholders; they are holders of Indigenous rights.

Avoid the common error of describing Indigenous Peoples in the past tense, which implies Indigenous Peoples no longer exist as distinctive cultures, or that they no longer practice their cultural traditions, or that they've been assimilated into mainstream Canadian society. Instead of writing “they held Potlatches” or “they told Sacred Stories,” write “they hold Potlatches” or “they tell Sacred Stories.”

Use the names for Indigenous Peoples that they use for themselves. Colonialism has anglicised many Indigenous Nations and the work of re-establishing traditional names of Indigenous Nations is ongoing. For example, Blackfoot becomes Niisitapi and Peigan becomes Piikuni.⁵

Be precise when referring to names of Indigenous organizations and Indigenous Nations. For example, write Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations.

• Write: Alexander First Nation is a member of Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations.
• Not: Alexander First Nation is a member of Treaty Six.

Avoid us vs. them narrative.

This creates discord between the communications (internal, external communications) and the Indigenous audience.

---

Content considerations

Use more photos of Indigenous Peoples in business suits or everyday wear, rather than relying on stereotypes and tropes. For example, Indigenous Peoples are not always wearing their regalia and standing in front of a tipi. Have b-roll and photos of Indigenous Peoples in common situations such as visiting, laughing, working, etc. Consult with others before taking photography as photos of certain items (i.e. pipes, medicines, lodges, etc.) and ceremonies may not be permitted.

Explain the cultural significance of protocols. It fosters an environment of understanding and is an example of appropriate storytelling. For example, explain the significance of bundles, smudging, and sharing circles when necessary.

If a teaching or song is shared with you, ask the person sharing it if you are permitted to share before including in written communications or recordings. Teachings and songs may have special considerations with respect to when, how and with whom they are shared.

---

Review and reconsider

As the discourse around diversity, reconciliation, and equity evolves, the way we talk about Indigenous Peoples and culture evolves too. Consult this document regularly, work with partners and be open to updating and editing the document to reflect the latest discourse.

---

¹ Elements of Indigenous Style, page 17

² Elements of Indigenous Style, page 67

³ https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/01/17/Copy-Editor-Indigenous-Style/

⁴ Elements of Indigenous Style, pages 97-98

⁵ Elements of Indigenous Style, page 71