First Nations
Americannoun
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the Indigenous peoples of North America generally considered distinct from the Inuit and Métis (often used attributively).
The Ministry of the Environment has worked with the First Nations, local government, industry, and area residents to create a long-term plan for the region.
Games, stories, and hands-on exploration of artifacts helped the students connect with local First Nations cultures and histories.
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First Nation any specific Indigenous, non-Métis, non-Inuit ethnic or language group, band, or reserve-based community.
The Little Saskatchewan First Nation is located near St. Martins, Manitoba.
Etymology
Origin of First Nations
First recorded in 1980–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Unpaid monies represent lost economic development and investment opportunities for First Nations communities."
From Barron's ● May 12, 2026
She is also a recipient of the First Nations Emerging Career Award by the Australia Council for the Arts.
From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2026
Earlier this week, a group of First Nations leaders gathered at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton to call on the provincial premier, Danielle Smith, to quash any possible succession referendum.
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026
Created by two First Nations women, the series pokes fun with affection in a very Canadian way, while also nodding to the darker historical realities of society.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2025
All day, it had been a replay of that old First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Association debate.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
