Indian
Indian is a term that is now considered outdated and offensive, but has been used historically to identify Indigenous peoples in South, Central and North America. In Canada,
“Indian” also has legal significance. It is used to refer to legally defined identities set out in the Indian Act, such as Indian Status.
For some Indigenous peoples, the term “Indian” confirms their ancestry and protects their historic relationship to the Crown and federal government.
For others, the definitions set out in the Indian Act are not affirmations of their identity.