First Peoples

American  

[furst pee-puhlz] / ˈfɜrst ˈpi pəlz /

noun

1. all of the Indigenous peoples of North America, or sometimes of the Americas, collectively (often used attributively).

   Many of the First Peoples of America are struggling to preserve their native languages.

   First Peoples communities must be consulted before undertaking any development in the area.

2. First People any specific Indigenous ethnic or language group of North America or the Americas: in Canada, especially the Inuit or Métis.

   The Métis are a First People of Canada with Aboriginal rights entrenched in the Constitution.

   When the Navajo First People came to the present world, they did not realize that part of the time it would be very cold.

3. Often first peoples the Indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand collectively (often used attributively).

   The museum showcases the art of our first peoples.

   Forming a circle is a familiar First Peoples process for sharing in a group.

4. Often first people any of the Indigenous ethnic or language groups of Australia or New Zealand.

   In the creation story of the Maori First People of New Zealand, Aoraki is the eldest son of Raki, the Sky Father.

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First Peoples British  

plural noun

1. a collective term for the Native Canadian peoples, the Inuit, and the Métis

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Etymology

Origin of First Peoples

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

As an expert witness, my role has been to bring the experiences of this continent’s first peoples into legal proceedings where their rights as tribal citizens and as Americans were being challenged.

From Salon

"This is a historic moment for our people," said Ngarra Murray from the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.

From Barron's

Siban’gna was a village of the First Peoples in the region.

From Los Angeles Times

"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a long and proud history of serving and sacrifice for this country," the co-chairs of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria - an independent and democratically elected body to represent traditional owners - said in response to the incident.

From BBC

"The British Crown committed heinous crimes against the first peoples of this country... I will not be silent," the independent senator said.

From BBC