CRRF Glossary

Title	Definition
Métis	Originally referred to persons of mixed Indian and French ancestry. Now refers to a person who self-identifies as Métis, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry, and/or is accepted by the Métis Nation through its acceptance process.
Minority Group	Refers to a group of people within a society that is either small in numbers or that has little or no access to social, economic, political or religious power. Minority rights are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Human Rights Acts and Codes, and the UN Convention on the rights of minorities.
Multicultural/Multiracial Education	A broad term which may refer to a set of structured learning activities and curricula designed to create and enhance understanding of and respect for cultural diversity. The term often connotes inclusion of racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, national, international and political diversity, and is also inclusive of the culture, heritage, history, beliefs and values of the various peoples people within a pluralistic society.
Multiculturalism	Federal policy announced in 1971 and enshrined in law in the Multiculturalism Act of 1988. It promotes the acknowledgment and respect of diverse ethnicities, cultures, races, religious, and supports the freedom of these groups to preserve their heritage “while working to achieve the equality of all Canadians”.
Native	People born in the place to which reference is being made. This term is somewhat ambiguous because of claims by many people of immigrant ancestry who have been born in North America to be "native" Canadians or Americans. The capitalization of the word is distinguishes the descendants of the indigenous populations that occupied this land.
Network	Refers to a group of people with common interests who share information formally or informally without authority or dominant hierarchy.
Non-Status Indian	An Aboriginal person who is not recognized as "Indian" under The Indian Act. This term does not apply to Inuit or Métis persons as they are not included under The Indian Act.
Oppression	The unilateral subjugation of one individual or group by a more powerful individual or group, using physical, psychological, social or economic threats or force, and frequently using an explicit ideology to sanction the oppression.
Patriarchy	The norms, values, beliefs, structures and systems that grant power, privilege and superiority to men, and thereby marginalize and subordinate women.
People of Colour	A term which applies to all non-White racial or ethnic groups; generally used by racialized groups as an alternative to the term visible minority.

Métis

Originally referred to persons of mixed Indian and French ancestry. Now refers to a person who self-identifies as Métis, is of historic Métis Nation ancestry, and/or is accepted by the Métis Nation through its acceptance process.

Minority Group

Refers to a group of people within a society that is either small in numbers or that has little or no access to social, economic, political or religious power. Minority rights are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Human Rights Acts and Codes, and the UN Convention on the rights of minorities.

Multicultural/Multiracial Education

A broad term which may refer to a set of structured learning activities and curricula designed to create and enhance understanding of and respect for cultural diversity. The term often connotes inclusion of racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, national, international and political diversity, and is also inclusive of the culture, heritage, history, beliefs and values of the various peoples people within a pluralistic society.

Multiculturalism

Federal policy announced in 1971 and enshrined in law in the Multiculturalism Act of 1988. It promotes the acknowledgment and respect of diverse ethnicities, cultures, races, religious, and supports the freedom of these groups to preserve their heritage “while working to achieve the equality of all Canadians”.

Native

People born in the place to which reference is being made. This term is somewhat ambiguous because of claims by many people of immigrant ancestry who have been born in North America to be "native" Canadians or Americans. The capitalization of the word is distinguishes the descendants of the indigenous populations that occupied this land.

Network

Refers to a group of people with common interests who share information formally or informally without authority or dominant hierarchy.

Non-Status Indian

An Aboriginal person who is not recognized as "Indian" under The Indian Act. This term does not apply to Inuit or Métis persons as they are not included under The Indian Act.

Oppression

The unilateral subjugation of one individual or group by a more powerful individual or group, using physical, psychological, social or economic threats or force, and frequently using an explicit ideology to sanction the oppression.

Patriarchy

The norms, values, beliefs, structures and systems that grant power, privilege and superiority to men, and thereby marginalize and subordinate women.

People of Colour

A term which applies to all non-White racial or ethnic groups; generally used by racialized groups as an alternative to the term visible minority.