June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. The day is meant to coincide with the summer solstice. It is a day of recognition and celebration of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.
In 2017, National Aboriginal Day was renamed National Indigenous Peoples Day. But why did they change the name? Why is the word “peoples” important?
The word “peoples” is jarring. You notice “peoples” when someone says it. It’s not an everyday word. And that’s the point. You probably don’t notice it when you read it. It sounds strange when you hear it, because most of the time you read it. It’s a word you often read but rarely hear people actually say. So, on June 21 you should say it – and enunciate the “s.”
The grammar of “peoples” can be summed up fairly easily. People is a countable noun. You can count individual people, but you can also count groups. The word “peoples” counts groups of people. The word “people” refers to a specific and singular group or community, whereas “peoples” refers to multiple distinct groups or communities. The word “peoples” emphasizes the diversity of these groups and communities. You can talk about Canadian people, but you can also talk about Canadian peoples.
This language matters. Think about for just a second. If you want to participate in National Indigenous Peoples Day – if you want to give just the smallest passing thought to the day – then you must recognize that there are multiple Indigenous groups and communities in Canada.
Recognizing different groups is an easy way to recognize nuance. It is a simple way to recognize that people are complex. It avoids oversimplified monolithic thinking. It avoids the tendency to view Indigenous people (peoples?) from a single perspective.
We all know people who complain about “peoples” and similar words. “They are people, not peoples. They cannot be defined by groups or communities.” Even politically, they cannot be defined. They are too diverse to be sorted into specific groups. They are simply people who are passionate about words because words matter. It takes courage to explain to them why you use certain words or why you appreciate how others use certain words.
On June 21, try to explain to your friends what the day means to you. Treat important ideas with respect by using precise language.
