Who are the people of the First Nations?
First Nations peoples are one of three distinct groups of Aboriginal or First peoples in Canada, and account for over 60% of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. There are over 600 First Nations in Canada, each with their own unique heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. Roughly 30% of Canada’s First Nations, comprising more than 17% of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are in British Columbia. There are 50 plus distinct Aboriginal languages in Canada, two thirds of which are spoken in British Columbia. Aboriginal languages are on the decline with less than one quarter of Aboriginal people able to carry on a conversation in their Aboriginal Language. Over half of Aboriginal people are under the age of 25, the fastest growing segment of Canada’s population. The 2010 Games are seen as an important opportunity to enhance and renew First Nation’s heritage language, culture and participation in sport.
