Over the course of history, many Aboriginal people of Canada have played a critical role in shaping the countries future. Excelling in many fields like art and entertainment, sports, law, government, war, etc, these Aboriginal people and their customs and cultures have had a strong and long influence in defining the culture of Canada. Following, in random order, are some of the notable Aboriginal people of Canada.
First Nation
Shanawdithit – Born near a lake in Newfoundland around 1801, Shanawdithit also known as Nancy April was the last known and recorded survivor of the Beothuk people. After her death due to tuberculosis (June 6, 1829) in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the Beothuk people were officially declared to be extinct as a separate ethnic group.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew – Born in Tulita, Northwest Territories, Ethel Dorothy Blondin-Andrew, PC, is of Dene Descent and the first Aboriginal woman to become an elected member of the Parliament of Canada. In 1993, she was appointed as the Secretary of State for Training and Youth becoming the first Aboriginal woman to become a member of the Privy Council and Cabinet.
Graham Greene – Born on the Six Nations Reserve, Ohsweken, Graham Greene, is an Academy Awards nominated actor who is from the heritage of Oneida tribe. He has acted in notable movies like Die Hard with Vengeance and The Green Mile and has also received a Gemini Award for his role in the children’s series The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon. In 2004, he also won the Earle Grey Lifetime Achievement Award.
Shania Twain – Born Eilleen Regina Edwards in Windsor, Ontario, Shania Twain, OC, of Ojibwe and Cree ancestry, is a pop singer who has gained international acclaim for her talent. She is also a successful song writer who has won 27 Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) Songwriter awards. Shania Twain is known as the second best artist in Canada with three studio albums certified as double diamond by CRIA.
Ted Nolan – Born on the Garden River Ojibwa First Nation Reserve, Theodore John Nolan is of Ojibwe descent and a winner of the Jack Adams Award. He is a retired Canadian Professional Hockey left winger who is well known for being the former head coach of the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres.
Other notable figures from the First Nations are the actor Adam Beach, politician Ovide William Mercredi and signer Alanis Morissette.
Inuit
Kiviaq – Born David Ward, Kiviaq is a former sportsman, politician and an Inuit lawyer. He is the first of the Inuk people to become a lawyer and is credited with several crucial advances in establishing the Inuit people’s legal right. He also won the legal right to use his Inuktituk name in 2001.
Jordin Tootoo – Born in Churchill, Manitoba, Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo is a sportsman of Inuk descent. He is the first Inuk to become a professional ice hockey player that plays with the National Hockey League. He currently plays for the Nashville Predators.
Sheila Watt-Cloutier – Born in Kuujjuaq, Northern Quebec, Sheila Watt Cloutier, OC, is an Inuit activist who has been active at regional, national and international levels for more than a decade. She also acted as the International Chair for the Inuit Circumpolar Council recently.
Tanya Tagaq Gills – Born in Cambridge Bay, Nunavat, Tagaq (as she is sometimes popularly known) is a popular Inuit throat singer. She is well known not only as a Canadian singer but has gained international recognition owing to her performance with Bjork. She is also a winner of the Best Female Artist Award of the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.
Kenojuak Ashevak – Born in an igloo in Ikirasaq, Kenojuak Ashevak, CC, is considered modern Inuit art’s most notable pioneer. In the 1950s, she became the first Inuit woman to begin drawing in Cape Dorset. She even has her star on the Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Among other notable Inuit figures are Paul Okalik, Abe "Abraham" Okpik, Helen Maksagak and others.
Métis
Tom Jackson – Born in One Arrow Reserve, Saskatchewan, Thomas Dale Jackson, OC, is an actor and singer best known for his annual Christmas concerts – Huron Carole. Jackson who has starred in many TV shows is of Cree descent and is currently the Chancellor of Trent University.
Bryan Trottier – Born in Val Marie, Saskatchewan, Bryan John Trottier is a retired professional hockey player who played for the New York Islanders and Pittsburg Penguins. He also has a Hall of Fame award credit among his other Stanley Cups and has played 18 NHL seasons.
Douglas Cardinal – Born in Calgary, Douglas Joseph Cardinal, OC, is an architect of Métis and Blackfoot ancestry. He is famous for his flowing designs that incorporate not only the Aboriginal heritage but also European Expressionist Architecture.
Thelma Chalifoux – Born in Calgary, former Senator Thelma J. Chalifoux is of Métis heritage and the first Métis female to receive the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. She became a Senator in 1997 and continued being one till 2004 when she retired. She is still active in the Métis community.
Christi Belcourt – Born in Scarborough, Christi Marlene Belcourt is a Métis writer, craftsperson and painter. Christi is well known for her acrylic paintings depicting floral patterns that are inspired from the Métis and First Nations’ art. She is also recognized as preeminent artist in the Métis community.
Some of the other prominent Métis people are Gabriel Dumont, Wayne Bourque, Sharon Bruneau and Pearl Calahasen.