Distinctions-Based Approach

Home Learn Distinctions-Based Approach

In one sentence

Recognizing that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis have unique rights, histories, and governance, rather than treating them as one group.

What it means

A distinctions-based approach starts from the fact that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are distinct Peoples. Each has its own rights, interests, circumstances, and governing structures, and there is further diversity among Nations and communities.

In practice, this means engagement, policy, and services are designed with those differences in mind, not as a single "Indigenous" approach.

Questions it prompts

Who is affected?

Which specific Nations, communities, or organizations?

Who has authority?

Which governing bodies should be engaged?

What differs?

How do rights, needs, and context vary?

Does the design reflect this?

Or does one approach get applied to all?

Why it matters

One-size-fits-all approaches can overlook people entirely, and can leave Métis or Inuit perspectives out of work designed around First Nations contexts, or the reverse. Canadian federal and provincial governments have also adopted distinctions-based commitments.

A simple example

Illustrative scenarioA provincial program is developing a virtual-care strategy. Instead of holding one Indigenous engagement session, it plans separate conversations with the appropriate First Nations, Métis, and Inuit organizations.

A common misunderstanding

What people often thinkUsing the word "Indigenous" is enough to be respectful.

What is closer to the truthThe word is useful, but it can hide important differences. The test is whether the work itself reflects them.