First Nation(s) (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)

To standardize usage within the federal public service, the Translation Bureau makes the following recommendation.

First Nation(s) in English

Capitalization

The term First Nation(s) is considered a proper noun and should therefore be capitalized:

• the fundamental rights of the First Nations
• a First Nation in the Yukon Territory
• these First Nations
• the Hollow Water and Dene Tha’ First Nations

First Nations (“status and non-status Indians of Canada”)

In Canada, the collective term First Nations refers to an Indigenous grouping composed of many different nations having their own origin, history and culture, and whose members have called North America home from time immemorial. It may be used as a noun or an adjective:

• First Nations leaders applauded the decision.

The term First Nations does not include Inuit and Métis. In Canada, the collective term for First Nations, Inuit and Métis is Indigenous Peoples.

First Nation (“band”)

The term First Nation has the meaning “band”:

• the Glooscap First Nation
• each First Nation
• the First Nations listed below

Nowadays, many bands prefer to use the term First Nation in their official name.

Première(s) Nation(s) in French

Capitalization

The term Première(s) Nation(s) is considered a proper noun and should therefore be capitalized:

• les droits fondamentaux des Premières Nations
• la première entente définitive conclue par une Première Nation du Yukon
• ces Premières Nations
• les Premières Nations de Hollow Water et des Dénés Yellowknives

This spelling is consistent with the standard French practice of capitalizing the first noun in a proper name, together with the adjective preceding it, as in the following examples:

• le Nouveau Monde
• l’Ancien Testament
• la Première Guerre mondiale
• le ministère des Anciens Combattants

Official titles

However, it is important to respect the spelling of existing official titles in French (such as the official names or titles of programs, organizations, Acts or documents):

• Programme forestier des Premières nations
• Loi sur la compétence des premières nations en matière d’éducation en Colombie-Britannique

Premières Nations (“status and non-status Indians of Canada”)

In Canada, the collective term Premières Nations refers to an Indigenous grouping composed of many different nations having their own origin, history and culture, and whose members have called North America home from time immemorial. This term does not include Inuit and Métis.

In Canada, the collective French term for First Nations, Inuit and Métis is Autochtones.

Première Nation (“band”)

The term Première Nation has the meaning “band.”

• chaque Première Nation
• les Premières Nations dont le nom figure à l’annexe

The term is followed by the preposition de or des, according to the context:

• Première Nation de + place name:
  • la Première Nation de Hollow Water
• Première Nation des + name of community:
  • la Première Nation des Dénés Yellowknives

Nowadays, many bands prefer to use the term Première Nation in their official name.