Who Are Indigenous Peoples? Definitions and Global Terminology

Native peoples—also termed indigenous peoples, aboriginal peoples, or First Peoples—are ethnic groups who are the original inhabitants of a territory later colonized or settled by others. They maintain distinct cultural identities, languages, traditions, and connections to ancestral lands.

Common Regional Terms

• Native Americans: Indigenous peoples of the Americas (North, Central, South).
• First Nations: Indigenous peoples of Canada (excluding Inuit and Métis).
• Aboriginal Australians: Indigenous peoples of mainland Australia and Tasmania.
• Māori: Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.
• Adivasi: Indigenous tribal groups of the Indian subcontinent.
• Sámi: Indigenous people of Sápmi (northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia).

Each group comprises numerous distinct nations or communities with unique histories. Recognizing this diversity—and the right to self-identification—is fundamental to respecting indigenous rights globally.