From the AIEC - American Indian Education Center, of Cleveland, Ohio - July 9, 1997

While there have been many different terms to try to identify exactly who we are as the original people, the term "First Nations" has come into use recently to identify Native American people.

As near as I can determine, First Nation stems from the current form of identification being used in Canada for the original people. This appears to have come about as a way of establishing the credibility of Natives, relative to Canada's struggles with the province of Quebec and it's bid for Independence.

The term First Nation as applied to Canadian Natives is highly appropriate when you consider the definition and who the term pertains to.

"First" correctly sets Natives to the forefront as the first inhabitants of the land. We were here first, and in spite of land bridge theories and fantasies, all of the original people have creation stories that establish our presence here as our gift from the Creator.

"Nations" establishes our Tribes, Bands, Communities and Confederations as viable political entities in the entity that is now known as Canada.

The term "Nation" is not to be taken nor is it to be applied lightly. A Nation must meet at least three requirements.

First, there must be a land base on which the people live and conduct their national affairs upon.

Second, there must be a form of self-government that sets laws, bylaws, rules and regulations that the people follow in their day to day lives.

Third, there must exist a language that is used by all members of the Nation, used in the day to day matters of business and even in the operations of the self governing system. This language must be the original language of the people, not something borrowed or incorporated from another nation or culture (not French, English or Spanish).

A people who can meet these three requirements can refer to themselves as "First Nations." People who do not have the land base, abide by the governing body of their own tribe, band etc. or have no regular usage of the language of their ancestors should not refer to themselves as First Nations.

Recently there seems to be a push by non-Natives to establish what is "politically correct" in addressing or speaking about us. We must not allow this special way of identifying those among us who are still nationally intact to be diminished by anyone jumping on their bandwagon, especially if your own bandwagon is missing a couple of wheels and lying off in the ditch.
Ask yourself a few questions.

Do I live, reside, hold land or have the right to do so on my own tribal land base?

Do I live and conduct myself according to the laws, bylaws, rules and regulations of the governing entity of my own tribe?

Am I a member in full accordance with my tribal community's standards of membership?

Do I speak or at least try to maintain and learn the language of my tribal ancestors?

If any of the answers to these questions are no, then chances are my friend, you shouldn't be referring to yourself as "First Nation" anything.

This is not a case of politically correct cuteness, this is the sovereignty, not a toy or plaything for you to meddle with.

Just leave it alone.

Our history is too full of the special important things of our Native existence being taken from us.

Just leave it alone.

Most of our land, our languages, our culture and our history, not to mention our elders, our children and our women who have been hurt and disrespected for far too long.

Enough is enough.
Just leave it alone.

For more information contact:
American Indian Education Center
1314 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44109
216-351-4488
aiecinc@aol.com
aiecc.net