Canada was officially born as a nation in 1867 but has been inhabited for at least 12,000 years by Indigenous peoples of different cultures and traditions across the huge land mass. In Canada, there are some interchangeable terms depending on regional preferences, but for the purposes of this article we will use the more common term Indigenous to refer to the people of First Nations, Metis, or Inuit decent. In the discussion of providing housing to Indigenous students in Canada on or near university/college campuses, it is important to understand that Indigenous people are not a monolithic group. First Nations, Metis, and Inuit are three broad categories that are distinct, and within them are dozens of distinct tribes and cultures across the country and any institution seeking to serve those in their regions must make a point of understanding and connecting to the peoples and traditions of their region to serve those students and help connect the campus to Indigenous culture and knowledge.
