The cultural identity of a community is what makes this culture unique: its values, language, land, traditions, beliefs and history.
Cultural identity evolves over time: some aspects change, some appear (e.g. historical events), others disappear (for example when a people loses its language). But the cultural identity is still alive.
The cultural identity of Aboriginal people in Quebec is based on several elements:
- The territory: forest, lakes and rivers, the North …
- The relationship they have with nature and its resources: flora and fauna that feed and heal
- Traditions, customs and the traditional way of life: nomadism, life in the North, celebrations like the powwow, art objects and everyday objects
- Aboriginal languages
- The history: the great migration, the meeting, colonization, claims, modern life …
- Beliefs and values