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Indigenous Studies

Search Tip - Indigenous Studies topics

The First Nations, Métis and Inuit have long used their own words to name their people and territories. Contemporary researchers strive to be respectful and use this terminology when referring to Indigenous peoples. However there have been times when authors have referred to Indigenous peoples using words that were inappropriate and/or disrespectful. You may encounter these words when you do assignment research.

When selecting words to use in a database search, you may need to use both old and new terminology, as well as general and specific words to find relevant material. Here are a few examples:

General terms: Indigenous, Aboriginal, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Native, First Peoples, Indian

Specific terms: Mi’kmaq, MicMac, Montagnais, Haudenosaunee, Iroquois, Ojibwe, Ojibway, Anishinaabe, Cree, Dene, Athapaska, Haisla, Sto:lo

Database search example:  (Mi’kmaq OR Mi’kmaw OR MicMac) AND treaty

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