The term “Aboriginal “refers to the first people who lived in a territory. There are therefore Aboriginal peoples all over the world. In Quebec and Canada, First Nations and Inuit communities are grouped together under the term “Aboriginal peoples” or “First Peoples”.
An Aboriginal community is a group of First Nations, Inuit or Métis people. Its members share a way of life, a language and common ancestors. They live on the land and organize their society and economy according to their values and traditions.
The Cree, Abenaki, Maliseet, Innu, Algonquin, Naskapi, Mi’gmaq and Attikamek form the large Algonquian family in Quebec. The Huron-Wendat and the Mohawk are part of the Iroquoian linguistic family. The Inuit belong to a separate group: they have a language, traditions and a culture all their own.