Throughout this training we use the term Indigenous to refer to all first peoples of Turtle Island (North America). The term Indigenous includes both status and non-status people. The words used to describe the first peoples of this land have evolved over the years. It is important, however, to remember that terms such as Aboriginal and Indigenous have been imposed on First Nations people.
Interspersed throughout this module are short video clips from a longer interview with Claudette Commanda. Claudette is an Algonquin woman from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Québec. She is a mother, grandmother, lawyer, professor and Executive Director of The First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres.
This module was developed with the guidance, passion and expertise of a Mi’kmaq Advisory Committee that emerged from Community Engagement Gathering held in Truro, NS in April 2016. The following people have been involved in the Mi’kmaq Advisory Committee:
Karen Bernard, Cheryl Copage-Gehue, Walter Denny, Juliana Julian, Audrey Heidi Marshall, Paula Marshall, Wilma Simon, Corinna Smiley, Bridget Smith and Inkin Young.