The descendants of the original inhabitants of North America. “Aboriginal Peoples” can be used to collectively describe three groups recognized in the Consitution Act, 1982: First Nation/Indians, Inuit, and Métis”. These are separate peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and political goals. The word “Aboriginal” is an umbrella term for all three peoples, and is not interchangeable with “First Nations” but can be used interchangeably with “Indigenous peoples”, a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. It should also not be used when referring to only one or two of the three recognized groups.

Aboriginal rights refer to practices, traditions and customs that distinguish the unique culture of each First Nation and were practiced prior to European contact; rights that Aboriginal peoples of Canada hold as a result of long-standing ancestral use and occupancy of the land. Examples include the right to hunt, trap, and fish on ancestral lands. Aboriginal rights will vary from group to group depending on the customs, practices, and traditions that have formed their distinctive cultures. Aboriginal rights are protected under s.35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Aboriginal self-government is the formal structure through which communities may control the administration of their people, land, resources, and related programs and policies, through agreements with federal and provincial governments. Self-government agreements address: the structure and accountability of Aboriginal governments, their law-making powers, financial arrangements, and their responsibilities for providing programs and services to their members. Self-government enables Aboriginal governments to work in partnership with other governments and the private sector to promote economic development and improve social conditions.

A legal term that recognizes the inherent Aboriginal right to land or a territory. The Canadian legal system recognizes Aboriginal title as a sui generis, or unique collective right to the use of and jurisdiction over a group’s ancestral territories.

Affirmation and recognition of those whose race, religion, nationality, values, beliefs, etc. are different from one’s own. Acceptance goes beyond ‘tolerance’ which represents a “coming to terms” with difference rather than an embrace or approval of it.

The process where culture, values and patterns of a new or different culture are adopted by a person or an ethnic, social, religious, language or national group while still retaining elements of the original culture, values and traditions – both majority and minority cultures can be susceptible to this process. Acculturation is typically tied to political conquest or expansion.

The impact, whether intended or not, of employment practices that disproportionately affect groups such as visible minorities and women. Though a practice may appear neutral, it has a discriminatory effect on groups protected by human rights and/or employment legislation.

An active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women through explicit actions, policies or programs.

See “Employment Equity”

Ageism refers to two concepts: a socially constructed way of thinking about older persons based on negative attitudes and stereotypes about aging and a tendency to structure society based on an assumption that everyone is young, thereby failing to respond appropriately to the real needs of older persons. Ageism also includes discrimination that is more systemic in nature, such as in the design and implementation of services, programs and facilities.  Age discrimination involves treating persons in an unequal fashion due to age in a way that is contrary to human rights law.

A member of a different group who works to end a form of discrimination for a particular individual or designated group.

A line of people from whom one is descended; family or ethnic descent.

Policies and practices rooted in Canadian institutions such as, education, health care, and justice that mirror and reinforce beliefs, attitudes, prejudice, stereotyping and/or discrimination towards people of African descent.

Strategies, theories, and actions that challenge social and historical inequalities/injustices that have become part of our systems and institutions and allow certain groups to dominate over others.

An active and consistent process of change to eliminate individual, institutional and systemic racism.

Anti-racist education is based in the notion of race and racial discrimination as being embedded within the policies and practices of institutional structures. Its goal is to aid students to understand the nature and characteristics of these discriminatory barriers, and to develop work to dismantle them.

Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred or blame. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. The IHRA definition provides examples, which may serve as illustrations, found here.

An Afrikaans word created to describe the South African system of institutionalized segregation to maintain white domination. From the 1960’s to 1991, a plan of “Grand Apartheid” was implemented, emphasizing territorial separation and police repression. The official State policy separated black and white South Africans in order to oppress, dominate, and control blacks, while enriching whites at their expense. Only the so-called “white” citizens of South Africa were allowed to vote and participate in government, and to enjoy many other privileges.

An individual’s state of mind which makes them react in certain ways towards social events or objects; a consistent pattern of thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and reactions.

A community of status Indians recognized by the federal government under the Indian Act. There are over 600 recognized Indian bands in Canada. Bands often have land set apart for their collective use (see “Reserve”). Each band has its own governing council, usually consisting of a chief and several councillors. The members of a band share common values, traditions, and practices rooted in their ancestral heritage. Today, many Indian bands prefer to use the word “First Nation” to describe their communities.

An overt or covert obstacle which must be overcome for equality and progress to be possible.

A subjective opinion, preference, prejudice, or inclination, often formed without reasonable justification, which influences the ability of an individuals or group to evaluate a particular situation objectively or accurately.

See “Reasonable apprehension of bias”

Someone who is intolerantly devoted to their biased opinion, prejudices or beliefs towards people with perceived differences.

Refers to an official policy of Canada, with two official languages (English and French). The ability to utilize two languages with equal fluency.

The pre-legislation name of the 1985 Act to Amend the Indian Act. This Act eliminated certain discriminatory provisions of the Indian Act. The Bill had three major goals: to address gender discrimination of the Indian Act, to restore Indian status to those who had been forcibly enfranchised due to previous discriminatory provisions, and to allow bands to control their own band membership as a step towards self-government.

People of African descent and those who define themselves as such, who are now residents/citizens of Canada.

A workplace prerequisite that is directly related to the requirements of a specific job and which employers may consider when making decisions on the hiring and retention of employees.

The act of implementing a policy or program designed to suppress, either in whole or in part, the production of, or access to, information, such as sources, literature, the performing arts, music, theatre/movies, letters, documents, or ideologies which are considered unacceptable or dangerous for political, moral, or religious reasons.

A prejudice against or in favor of people belonging to a particular social class, resulting in differential treatment.

The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. In the late 15^th century, the British and French explored, fought over, and colonized places within North America which constitutes present day Canada.

A prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group; a form of oppression that is expressed through the differential treatment of individuals and groups based on skin color. Typically, favoritism is demonstrated toward those of lighter complexions while those of darker complexions experience rejection and mistreatment.

An informal communications process aimed at getting two or more parties to establish meaningful dialogue, narrow down issues in dispute, and suggest cooperative ways of resolving conflict.

At the 1951 United Nations Convention, a single definition of the term “refugee” was determined and agreed upon. A convention refugee is defined as “Someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.” See Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 28 July, 1951, and Protocol signed at New York 31 January 1967

A professed system and confession of faith, including both beliefs and observances or worship. A belief in a god or gods or a single supreme being or deity is not a requisite.

The full adoption by an individual or group of the culture, values and patterns of a different social, religious, linguistic or national ethos, resulting in the diminution or elimination of attitudinal and behavioural characteristics of the original individual or group. Can be voluntary or forced.

Members of a group having the same beliefs, behavioural norms, values, language, ways of thinking about and viewing the world.

Portrayal of Aboriginals, Blacks, people of colour and different ethnicities in the media, school texts, literature as inherently “inferior”, “savage”, “bad”, “primitive”. The premise by a host society that devalues and stereotypes minority populations.

The mix of ideas, beliefs, values, behavioural and social norms, knowledge and traditions held by a group of individuals who share a historical, geographic, religious, racial, linguistic, ethnic and/ or social context,. This mix is passed on from one generation to another, resulting in a set of expectations for appropriate behaviour in seemingly similar contexts.

Social groups whose individual members have been historically denied equal access to employment, education, social services, housing, etc. because of membership in the group. In the Employment Equity Act, the four designated groups are: women, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

The denial of equal treatment and opportunity to individuals or groups because of personal characteristics and membership in specific groups, with respect to education, accommodation, health care, employment, access to services, goods, and facilities. This behaviour results from distinguishing people on that basis without regard to individual merit, resulting in unequal outcomes for persons who are perceived as different. Differential treatment that may occur on the basis of any of the protected grounds enumerated in human rights law.

A term used to encompass the acceptance and respect of various dimensions including race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religious beliefs, age, physical abilities, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

Defined as the group that controls the major elements of a society’s norms and values. The dominant group is often but not always the majority.

The process of leaving one’s home or country in order to settle in another place or country, for personal, economic, political, religious or social reasons.

A program designed to remove barriers to equality in employment for reasons unrelated to ability, by identifying and eliminating discriminatory policies and practices, remedying the effects of past discrimination, and ensuring appropriate representation of the designated groups (women; Aboriginal peoples; persons with disabilities; and visible minorities). Employment Equity can be used as an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women through explicit actions, policies or programs.

A systemic form of racism in which toxic wastes are introduced into or near marginalized communities. People of colour, indigenous peoples, working class, and poor communities suffer disproportionately from environmental hazards and the location of dangerous, toxic facilities such as incinerators and toxic waste dumps. Pollution of lands, air and waterways, often causes chronic illness to the inhabitants and change in their lifestyle.

In the United States and other jurisdictions, an explicit set of policies, guidelines and actions devised to eradicate discriminatory practices and to ensure access to and full participation in educational and employment opportunities, housing, health care, services, goods and facilities available to the general community. In Canada these goals are addressed through national and provincial human rights codes, the Employment Equity Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

A condition or state of fair, inclusive, and respectful treatment of all people. Equity does not mean treating people the same without regard for individual differences.

Refers to a group of people having a common heritage or ancestry, or a shared historical past, often with identifiable physical, cultural, linguistic and/or religious characteristics.

The multiplicity of beliefs, behaviours and traditions held in common by a group of people bound by particular linguistic, historical, geographical, religious and/or racial homogeneity. Ethnic diversity is the variation of such groups and the presence of a number of ethnic groups within one society or nation.

The tendency to view others using one’s own group and customs as the standard for judgment, and the tendency to see one’s group and customs as the best.