INUIT ARE A DISTINCT GROUP

The term, "Aboriginal people" is commonly used to describe all Aboriginal peoples in Canada. The use of the word "people" may suggest that all Aboriginal people belong to one socio-cultural, linguistic and political grouping. This is not the case. The Canadian Constitution recognizes Inuit, First Nations and Metis as the Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

The Aboriginal people known today as Inuit (and previously as Eskimos) have lived for centuries on lands that now make up Alaska, Russia, Greenland and Canada. In Canada, Inuit territories are primarily the lands north of the tree line in Labrador, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Within the urban context, Inuit are frequently mistaken for First Nations. While the terms "Aboriginal people", "First Nation" and "Inuit" are often used interchangeably; Inuit are not part of the First Nations. Inuit are a distinct Aboriginal group. As early as 1932, ethnologist Diamond Jenness recognized that Inuit were, "a people distinct in physical appearance, in language and in customs from all the Indian tribes of America."

The confusion about Inuit being Indians and Aboriginal peoples being all the same continues to reign among many members of the general public. For Inuit, to be recognized as an Indian rather than an Inuk is frustrating as it denies the unique culture of Inuit. There are also legal differences. For example, Inuit pay federal and provincial/territorial income taxes and the GST, while registered First Nations living On-Reserve do not.

When paying for their goods Inuit may be asked for their band membership card by sales clerks who assume Inuit are Indians. This card is issued by a band council and registered under the Indian Act. It entitles the owner to be exempt from paying certain taxes. Band membership, band councils and the cards they issue are all constructs of the Indian Act. The Indian Act is a federal law that expressly states that it does not apply to Inuit; it only applies to 'Indians" who are people that are registered as Indian or entitled to be registered as Indian under the Act.
Since Inuit do not fall under the Indian Act they do pay taxes but Inuit are still subjected to comments about being less than equal citizens along with other Natives because they are not, "paying their fair share," or they are told they have no right to comment on certain matter since they "don't pay taxes."

These incidents are more serious because of the overt racism. Individuals who make these comments fail to recognize that this right of Natives under the Indian Act and that it is a compromise negotiated with governments through treaties.