This directory provides reliable starting points for researching First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, governments, treaties, legislation, and Indigenous rights in Canada.
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are distinct Indigenous peoples. A directory or database covering one group may not include the others. Begin with the section that matches the Nation, community, or subject you are researching, and confirm important information through the Indigenous government or organization involved.
External links last reviewed: July 21, 2026.
Find a Nation or Community
Community names, preferred spellings, government structures, leadership, and official website addresses can change. Older records may use names that a Nation or community no longer prefers. Confirm current information directly through the Nation, community, or Indigenous organization whenever possible.
First Nation Profiles
- Government of Canada First Nation Profiles — Search individual First Nations and find information about reserves, governance, geography, population, and related organizations.
- First Nation Profiles Interactive Map — Locate First Nations geographically and open related profile information.
First Nation Profiles are compiled from federal administrative systems. They are useful for locating communities, but they should not replace the Nation’s own website when researching its identity, history, government, culture, or current priorities.
Official First Nation Government Websites
After locating a community through First Nation Profiles, look for the Nation’s official government website. Official sites may provide current leadership information, departments, laws, community notices, services, language programs, treaty information, and contact details.
Check the website address carefully. Social media pages, business directories, tourism websites, and third-party profiles may discuss a Nation without representing its government.
You can also browse our First Nations A–Z guide and First Nations by Province and Territory pages.
Tribal Councils and Political Organizations
- Search Tribal Councils — Find tribal councils listed in the federal First Nation Profiles system.
- Search First Nations Political Organizations — Find provincial, territorial, regional, and treaty-related political organizations.
A tribal council may provide technical, administrative, health, education, economic development, or other shared services to participating First Nations. Membership and responsibilities differ among councils. Confirm current membership through the council and the First Nation involved.
Inuit Regions and Organizations
Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada, includes four regions: the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. Inuit organizations and governments should be used as primary sources for information about Inuit communities, rights, languages, and regional priorities.
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami: About Canadian Inuit — An introduction to Inuit Nunangat and the four Inuit regions.
- Inuvialuit Regional Corporation — Regional organization for the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.
- Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated — Organization responsible for ensuring that promises made under the Nunavut Agreement are carried out.
- Makivvik — Organization representing Inuit of Nunavik.
- Nunatsiavut Government — Inuit regional government in northern Labrador.
Visit our Inuit in Canada section for additional introductory information and related articles.
Métis Governments and Organizations
Métis citizenship, governance, community representation, and services are handled through Métis governments and organizations. Use an organization’s official website for its current citizenship requirements, governance documents, regional offices, programs, and contact information.
- Métis National Council — National advocacy and policy organization for its Métis government members.
- Manitoba Métis Federation — Government of the Red River Métis.
- Métis Nation–Saskatchewan
- Otipemisiwak Métis Government — Métis government in Alberta.
- Métis Nation of Ontario
- Métis Nation British Columbia
Visit our Métis in Canada section for background on Métis history, culture, communities, and government.
Provincial and Territorial Indigenous Organizations
Indigenous organizations may work at provincial, territorial, regional, treaty, or community levels. Their responsibilities can include political advocacy, health, education, housing, legal services, economic development, cultural programming, and treaty implementation.
Use the First Nations Political Organization Search as a starting point, then confirm the organization’s current role and membership on its official website.
Treaty Organizations
Treaty organizations may represent Nations connected to a particular historic or modern treaty. They may provide treaty education, research, legal and policy information, implementation reports, maps, or community resources.
Because treaty representation differs by region, begin with the Nation’s official website or the treaty information maintained by the organization itself. Do not assume that every First Nation in a province belongs to the same treaty or organization.
Treaties, Legislation, and Indigenous Rights
Research involving treaties and Indigenous rights can be legally and historically complex. Treaty wording, oral understandings, court decisions, legislation, and the positions of Indigenous Nations and the Crown may differ.
Government sources are useful for locating documents and understanding the federal position. They should be read alongside First Nations, Inuit, Métis, treaty organization, and community sources.
Begin with our internal Treaties & Government page for an overview of treaties, governance, rights, and self-determination.
General Treaty Research
- Treaties, Agreements and Negotiations — The Government of Canada’s main directory for historic treaties, modern treaties, self-government, specific claims, and negotiations.
- About Treaties — General background on treaty relationships, historic treaties, modern treaties, Indigenous rights, and treaty rights.
Historic Treaty Texts
- Historic Treaty Texts — Transcripts of Peace and Friendship Treaties, Upper Canada land agreements, Douglas Treaties, Robinson Treaties, Numbered Treaties, and Williams Treaties.
- Library and Archives Canada: Treaties, Surrenders and Agreements — Digitized historical treaty documents and archival records.
Written treaty texts are only one part of treaty history. First Nations may also preserve oral accounts and understandings about what was discussed, promised, and intended.
Numbered Treaties
- The Numbered Treaties, 1871–1921 — Government background on Treaties 1 through 11.
- Numbered Treaty Texts — Treaty transcripts within the federal historic treaty collection.
For interpretation and present-day treaty priorities, also consult the participating First Nations and treaty organizations.
Modern Treaties and Comprehensive Claims
- Modern Treaties — Information about modern treaty relationships and implementation.
- Final Agreements and Related Implementation Matters — Final comprehensive land claim and self-government agreements organized by province and territory.
The Indian Act
- Current Consolidated Indian Act — The official federal text, including amendments and regulations.
The Indian Act uses legal terminology that may be inappropriate in ordinary writing but remains necessary when discussing the law or quoting historical and legal records. The Act does not apply to Inuit or Métis in the same manner that it applies to people and First Nations governed by its provisions.
Specific Claims
- Specific Claims — Information about claims involving alleged failures to fulfil historic treaties or properly administer First Nation lands, money, and other assets.
- Specific Claims Tribunal Canada — Tribunal information, procedures, and access to decisions.
Specific claims are different from modern treaty negotiations and comprehensive land claims.
Self-Government Agreements
- Indigenous Self-Government in Canada — General information about self-government and negotiated arrangements.
- Final Agreements and Self-Government Agreements — Agreements organized geographically.
Court Decisions
- Supreme Court of Canada Decisions — Search official Supreme Court judgments.
- CanLII — Search decisions from Canadian courts and tribunals, along with legislation and legal commentary.
Court decisions should be read in full and checked for later appeals, related rulings, or legislative changes. A summary cannot replace legal advice.
Federal Legislation
- Justice Laws Website — Search consolidated federal acts and regulations.
- Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 — Official text recognizing and affirming existing Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Using These Resources Responsibly
- Start with the Nation, community, Inuit organization, or Métis government involved.
- Confirm preferred names and spellings through current official sources.
- Record the date when you accessed information that may change.
- Distinguish federal descriptions from the views and interpretations of Indigenous Nations.
- Check legislation and court decisions for amendments, appeals, and later rulings.
- Do not treat directory listings as proof of identity, citizenship, treaty entitlement, or legal rights.
Independence statement: First-Nations.info is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or with the Indigenous governments and organizations listed here. Links are provided for research convenience and do not imply endorsement.
Legal notice: This page provides general research information and is not legal advice. Questions involving citizenship, status, treaty rights, land, harvesting, claims, or court proceedings should be directed to the appropriate Indigenous government, organization, or qualified legal professional.