Who Canadians are: the three founding peoples, languages, and the makeup of modern Canada.
Three founding peoples
- Aboriginal, French and British peoples are the three founding peoples of Canada.
- Most Canadians today are descended from settlers, with newcomers added over centuries.
Aboriginal peoples
- Three groups: First Nations (Indians), Métis, and Inuit.
- First Nations are about 65% of the Aboriginal population; about half live on reserve land.
- Métis are a distinct people of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry; majority live on the Prairies; they speak Michif.
- Inuit, meaning 'the people' in Inuktitut, live in small Arctic communities across Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Northern Quebec and Labrador.
- Indian Residential Schools (1800s–1980s) caused enduring harm; the Government of Canada apologized in 2008.
English- and French-speaking Canadians
- Canada's two official languages are English and French.
- About 18 million Anglophones (first language English) and 7 million Francophones (first language French).
- Most Francophones live in Quebec; about 1 million Francophones live outside Quebec, including Acadians and Franco-Ontarians.
- Acadians are descendants of French colonists who began settling in the Maritimes in 1604.
- Quebecers — most live in Quebec; the majority are French-speaking and Roman Catholic.
- Allophones are residents whose first language learned is neither English nor French.
Diversity in Canada
- Canada is home to many cultures, ethnic and racial groups, and religions.
- The largest religious affiliation is Christian; freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Charter.