Indigenous versus Aboriginal, which one to use?

By Dennis Ward

Feb 19, 2015

You can still hear the word “Indian” used from time to time, but mostly for historical or legal reasons.

APTN National News
You can still hear the word “Indian” used from time to time, but mostly for historical or legal reasons.

But it’s generally considered an outdated and offensive word.

Now, a similar backlash is brewing against another term.

The word Aboriginal is also being rejected by some groups.

APTN’s Dennis Ward spoke with a few organizations that have dropped the term and the word they’ve used to replace it.

Dennis Ward

2 thoughts on “Indigenous versus Aboriginal, which one to use?”

Doug Fisher says:

February 20, 2015 at 5:16 pm

They are both words made up to describe us. I do not associate with any of their words. In Mohawk we are all Onkwehonwe and each nation has their own word for this. I can identify with that
6nayndn says:

February 20, 2015 at 4:08 pm

Interesting topic for sure. I would like to hear from some of our legal experts on this topic. For myself I don’t care for the term ‘aboriginal’. I would like to know if any name change now could put past treaties in jeopardy? Anyone?