DCHP-3

Aboriginal

< classical Latin ab origine 'from the beginning'
DCHP-2 (Jul 2017)

Spelling variants:
aboriginal,

1adj. — Aboriginal

of or relating to the Indian, First Nation, Métis or Inuit peoples of Canada.

Type: 4. Culturally Significant — Aboriginal is generally applied to any person, plant or animal that has existed in a place since its earliest times (OED-3, s.v. "aboriginal"). As outlined by Section 35 of the 1982 Constitution Act, Aboriginal in the Canadian context refers specifically to the "Indian, Inuit and Metis peoples of Canada" (see Justice Laws Canada reference). Though the term is also commonly used to describe the indigenous peoples of Australia (see Indigenous Foundations: Terminology reference), it appears most frequently in Canada (see Chart 1). This term is currently the broadest collective legal category for indigenous peoples in Canada. However, indigenous as an alternative is gaining popularity due to its recognition on an international level and its inclusive nature "without respect to national boundaries or local conventions" (see Indigenous Foundations: Aboriginal Identity & Terminology reference).
See also Gage-5, s.v. "aboriginal" (2), which is described as being used in Canada, ITP Nelson, s.v. "aboriginal" (2b).
The use of the adjective, e.g. Aboriginal culture is uncontroversial, yet use as a noun, e.g. the Aboriginal(s), to refer to (a member of) Canada's indigenous population is not recommended. See usage note with meaning 2, noun. A recent government of Canada publication recommends that the word used to refer to people or their culture should be capitalized (Ross 2003).

Quotations

1824
These animals, whose aboriginal name is that of Wapeti, are known to the settlers in North America by the name of elk.
1883
I am a steadfast admirer of fashion, and it being fashionable last week to visit the Indian treaty at St. Peters, why, of course I was one of the very many who spent a short time there, ostensibly studying aboriginal life and character.
1900
In one process, the primitive potter seems to have daubed the matrix about a core of grass, which was doubtless worked into the shape of the desired utensil. Then, by placing the whole mass in the fire the grass core would be burnt to ashes and a rude eathern [sic] vessel would remain as a triumph of aboriginal art.
1910
Armed with guns procured from the French, the Indians, although terrified by the Iroquois, were able to strike terror in turn into the hearts of the Eskimos who fell back before their onslaughts and deserted this southern region. Battle Harbour is said to have received its name from one of the last battles fought by these two aboriginal races.
1930
To the Editor of The Globe: The term "Indian" is a misnomer for the aboriginal tribes of Canada, who have been misunderstood and trampled upon, ever since the white man's invasion of America.
1949
The anthropological division has accumulated a large collection of Indian and Eskimo exhibits, and has done more than any other agency to preserve the legends, art and folksongs of our aboriginal peoples.
1977
An aboriginal claim for about 18,000 acres in the Bighorn-Kootenay Plains district, 200 kilometres northwest of Calgary, has been filed in the Federal Court of Canada by the Stony tribe. The statement of the claim contends that the tribe has never given up its right "to possess, use and occupy" the lands that surround the headwaters of the Bighorn River on the eastern slopes of the Rockies.
1982
The dust has barely settled from the 16-month constitutional wrangle between Ottawa and the provinces and new battle lines are already being drawn. Commented New Brunswick Premier Richard Hatfield, one of two premiers to support the federal stand: "Well, we've patriated the Constitution and we've got a Charter of Rights. Now we have to do something about the Indians." What did he think of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's reference to Canadians of aboriginal ancestry in his speech at the Proclamation ceremony? "Condescending, didn't you think?" sniffed Hatfield.
1995
Canada's national aboriginal leaders have appealed to Prime Minister Jean Chretien to give them a more direct say in their own futures. Leaders for Indian, Metis and Inuit peoples have written a letter to Chretien asking for the public release of Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin's "secret" draft document on aboriginal self-government. The draft policy document, part of which was obtained by the Ottawa Citizen, outlines aboriginal self-government as a mix of provincial and municipal powers to be turned over to aboriginal communities.
2003
The northern territories, which shunned the agreement, saying there was not enough in it for aboriginal health concerns, spent the day telling any news agency that asked that northern and First Nation communities were being ignored, further driving a wedge between Ottawa and themselves.
2014
"This award recognizes our long-standing track record in aboriginal and Metis employment," said Tim Gitzel, Cameco president and CEO, in a news release. "We are proud to be Canada's leading industrial employer of aboriginal people and of the proactive approach we take to support career growth in this sector of our workforce."
2n. — Aboriginal

an Aboriginal inhabitant of Canada.

Type: 4. Culturally Significant — See meaning 1.
See: Amerind(meaning 1),Native Canadian(meaning 1)
The recommended use when referring to a person or people is with a noun compound, i.e. Aboriginal people, woman, man etc., rather than as a simple noun, i.e. Aboriginal(s), which may carry negative connotations (see NAHO reference).

Quotations

1987
Tommy Prince (an aboriginal) was Canada's most decorated war veteran, but Tommy Prince is really a small part of the picture we see daily. For example, the families of those Indian men who had to give up their Indian status in order to join the Canadian armed forces and were killed in battle faced new odds because they lost the support systems of the reserves.
1993
St. Germain also blamed the poor image of police officers for the fact that only one aboriginal was hired by the force when the target was two. To help boost their minority-hiring program, the MUC police recently hired three people with ties to various ethnic communities to help devise new strategies.
2002
Reg Davidson is on a mission to bring the hearts, minds and spirits of Canadians together. The 47-year-old Haida-Gwaii aboriginal was at the Canada Pavilion at Northlands Park on Thursday to let Edmontonians participate in the carving of a 100-metre totem pole, which will represent Canadian national unity.
2015
Canada is a multicultural nation, dating back centuries to when the first foreigners came to this country. Our cultures and religions range from those practiced by aboriginal people to those practiced by refugees and/or immigrants who arrived yesterday. The aboriginals were tolerant of the newcomers' ways, and succeeding generations of Canadians have tolerated, if not embraced, the many cultures that make up the melting pot that is our country. Why are we getting antsy now?

References

Images

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 1 May 2014

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 1 May 2014