First Nations are living, diverse peoples whose communities, governments, languages, cultures, and economies continue to shape Canada. Contemporary First Nations life includes both the continuation of longstanding knowledge and traditions and the development of new institutions, businesses, technologies, art forms, and approaches to community life.
There is no single contemporary First Nations experience. Each Nation has its own history, government, priorities, relationships, and vision for the future. First Nations people live in home communities, cities, towns, and rural areas throughout Canada.
This page introduces First Nations today, including governance, language revitalization, education, economic development, arts, environmental stewardship, community services, and current priorities.
First Nations Communities Today
First Nations communities differ greatly in location, population, language, government, infrastructure, and access to services. Some are near major cities, while others are accessible only by seasonal roads, boats, or aircraft. Communities may face very different opportunities and practical needs depending on geography.
A First Nations person does not have to live on a reserve to maintain a connection to a Nation, community, culture, or family. Many First Nations people live in urban areas or move between cities and their home communities for family, education, health care, employment, and cultural events.
Explore First Nations by province and territory or use the First Nations A–Z guide to learn about individual Nations and communities.
Government and Self-Determination
First Nations governments make decisions about community services, housing, education, economic development, language, culture, land, health, and other priorities. Governance structures differ among Nations and may involve elected leadership, hereditary leadership, traditional systems, self-government arrangements, or combinations of these.
Many First Nations are working to exercise greater authority over matters affecting their people and territories. This work may involve treaty implementation, self-government negotiations, First Nations laws, land management, child and family services, education, health care, and relationships with federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments.
Visit Treaties and Government to learn about historic treaties, modern agreements, First Nations governance, and self-determination.
Languages and Cultural Continuity
First Nations languages carry histories, laws, place names, ecological knowledge, family relationships, humour, and teachings. Communities are leading language revitalization through immersion schools, community classes, recordings, dictionaries, digital tools, camps, and programs connecting speakers with younger learners.
Cultural continuity also includes arts, ceremonies, foodways, land-based learning, family teaching, oral history, music, dance, and community gatherings. These traditions belong to particular Nations and communities and should not be treated as one interchangeable Indigenous culture.
Explore First Nations Culture and Languages for information about language revitalization, oral history, arts, and respectful cultural learning.
Education and Indigenous Knowledge
First Nations students attend community schools, public schools, colleges, universities, trade programs, and First Nations-controlled educational institutions. Communities are developing educational programs that combine academic subjects with language, culture, local history, and land-based knowledge.
First Nations educators and organizations continue to advocate for equitable funding, safe learning environments, culturally appropriate teaching, and greater First Nations control of education. Education is also closely connected to language renewal, employment, health, governance, and community development.
Learn more through First Nations education and scholarships.
Business, Employment, and Economic Development
First Nations people own and operate businesses in tourism, construction, retail, technology, natural resources, professional services, agriculture, transportation, arts, media, and many other fields. First Nations governments and development corporations also create employment and revenue through community-owned enterprises and partnerships.
Economic development is not identical in every community. Location, infrastructure, access to capital, treaty rights, land arrangements, education, and local priorities all affect the opportunities available to a Nation.
Community-led economic development can support housing, education, language programs, health services, infrastructure, and greater financial independence.
Land, Water, and Environmental Stewardship
Relationships with land and water remain central to many First Nations communities. First Nations governments, Guardians programs, researchers, hunters, fishers, and Knowledge Holders contribute to environmental monitoring, conservation, wildlife management, climate planning, and the protection of culturally important places.
Current environmental concerns may involve water quality, forestry, mining, energy development, pipelines, fisheries, wildlife, climate change, and consultation about projects affecting First Nations territories.
These subjects must be discussed in connection with the specific Nation, territory, treaty, and project involved. First Nations do not all hold the same position on resource development or environmental policy.
Arts, Media, and Public Life
Contemporary First Nations artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, designers, actors, athletes, scholars, and journalists are creating work that reaches audiences throughout Canada and around the world.
Their work may draw upon community histories and cultural traditions, address present-day experiences, or explore subjects unrelated to Indigenous identity. First Nations creators should be recognized as individual artists and professionals, not expected to represent every First Nations person or community.
Explore Contemporary First Nations people for profiles of artists, leaders, educators, advocates, entrepreneurs, and community members.
Housing, Infrastructure, and Community Services
Many First Nations communities continue to work for adequate housing, reliable infrastructure, safe drinking water, health services, internet access, transportation, emergency services, and other essential supports. The situation differs by community, and progress in one place should not be used to dismiss continuing needs elsewhere.
First Nations-led approaches emphasize community authority, long-term planning, appropriate funding, local knowledge, and solutions designed for the geography and needs of each Nation.
Health and Community Well-Being
First Nations health includes physical, mental, emotional, cultural, and community well-being. Health programs may combine clinical services with community-based healing, cultural knowledge, language, land-based programs, and family support.
Access to care can be especially difficult in remote communities. First Nations organizations continue to work toward more equitable services, culturally safe care, local health authority, and better support for children, families, Elders, and people living away from their home communities.
Youth, Elders, and Future Generations
Elders and Knowledge Holders carry languages, histories, teachings, and community experience. Young people bring new skills, perspectives, technologies, art, and leadership. Connections between generations are central to language renewal, cultural continuity, education, and community planning.
First Nations youth are not only future leaders. They are already artists, advocates, students, workers, entrepreneurs, language learners, caregivers, and community leaders.
Reporting on Current First Nations Issues
Current issues should be covered with accurate dates, named sources, and information from the Nation or community involved. Leadership, court cases, negotiations, emergencies, and government policies can change quickly.
Avoid presenting First Nations only through crisis, conflict, or hardship. Responsible coverage should also recognize leadership, innovation, cultural strength, economic development, community solutions, and everyday life.
Visit First Nations Current Issues for articles about matters affecting particular Nations, communities, and regions.
Continue Exploring
- First Nations A–Z
- First Nations by Province and Territory
- First Nations Culture and Languages
- Treaties and Government
- First Nations History
- Contemporary First Nations People
- First Nations Current Issues
- Resources for Further Learning