capitalization: Indigenous person, Indigenous people, Indigenous People, Indigenous Peoples

The recommendation has long been to capitalize the word Indigenous. However, capitalization has evolved for the terms Indigenous People and Indigenous Peoples.

On this page

• Indigenous person
• Indigenous people
• Indigenous People
• Indigenous Peoples
• Additional information

Indigenous person

In a Canadian context, the term Indigenous person refers to an individual who identifies as belonging to one of the three Indigenous Peoples in Canada: First Nations, Inuit and Métis. When you use this term, capitalize the word Indigenous and lowercase the word person.

• Any Indigenous person in Alberta is eligible under this program.
• Dr. Stanley Vollant is the first Indigenous person to head a medical association in North America.

Indigenous people

The plural of Indigenous person is Indigenous people. Use the term Indigenous people (without a capital on people) to refer to a group of people who identify as Indigenous, when no reference is being made to a specific distinct society.

• The conference could not have succeeded without the help of almost a thousand Indigenous people from all over Saskatchewan.
• The group of Indigenous people travelled together across Canada.

Indigenous People

The term Indigenous People refers to any one distinct society of First Nations, Inuit or Métis Peoples in Canada. When you use this term to refer to one distinct society, capitalize the letter p, and use the singular form People.

• Inuit are an Indigenous People who live in northern Canada.
• These totem poles were carved by the Haida, an Indigenous People of British Columbia.

Indigenous Peoples

The plural term Indigenous Peoples is a collective term that refers to First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada. When referring to these distinct societies, capitalize the letter p, and use the plural form Peoples. The plural form is used to emphasize the diversity of Indigenous Peoples.

• Indigenous Peoples have lived in Canada since time immemorial.
• The languages, cultures and histories of Indigenous Peoples are distinct.

The term Indigenous Peoples can also refer to two or more distinct Indigenous societies:

• Representatives from three Indigenous Peoples were present.
• The Abenakis and the Innu are two Indigenous Peoples in Quebec.

Additional information

• Capitalization: names of First Nations

Other resources

• Guide on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Terminology