“Aboriginal” is a term you will often hear and it means "Indigenous".

When the census was taken in 2001: 1,319,890 people in Canada reported having Aboriginal ancestry, which is 4.5 percent of the Canadian population. There are over 50 Aboriginal languages in Canada, and many more dialects.

In Canada, these three groups of peoples are as distinct and autonomous from one another as are the peoples of Europe; yet most people lump them all together as Indians. Within their own group of peoples, i.e., First Nations; there are over 600 actual nations. This one misunderstanding of Aboriginal people is only the beginning of our dehumanizing them. For without an identity, do you exist?

These great nations of people welcomed the visitors to the "New World" and assisted the newcomers in surviving. The pay back for their generosity was segregation, colonization, violence, a yearly holiday (Thanksgiving), pillage, and on and on and on.

Decimation was the goal of the newcomers .... surviving the newcomers was the goal of Aboriginal People. It's truly an amazing feat that any survived, let alone are experiencing a rebirth similar to the legendary Phoenix.

Canada's Aboriginal People have an increasingly prolific, sensational and informative presence on the World Wide Web(WWW).

More and more, their achievements are being recognized, not only by Canada, but world wide. Their art alone places them in the top echelons of achievers. Their culture is being rediscovered within their communities and these peoples continue to be open and generous with the rest of the world: sharing their history, culture, knowledge and healing practices. This alone is amazing in light of their treatment by North American governments.