Aboriginal peoples

Long before the explorers came to North America from Europe, the Aboriginal peoples’ ancestors were already in Canada. They are believed to have come from Asia thousands of years before the explorers.

The Aboriginal peoples were well established with diverse and vibrant First Nations cultures rooted firmly in religious beliefs revolving around their relationship with the creator, the environment, and each other.

The rights of Aboriginal peoples are enshrined in the Canadian Constitution under Aboriginal & treaty rights. Aboriginal peoples first got territorial rights in 1763 through King George III’s Royal Proclamation. This established a basis for negotiating treaties with newcomers. However, these treaties weren’t always fully respected.