Etymology

First Nation

First Na·tion

Today it means: A community of indigenous peoples of Canada (typically not including the Inuit or Metis), especially one officially recognized by the federal government. Full definition →

First used late 1970s
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The story

From first (adjective) + nation, coined in the late 1970s in place of the word Indian which had become regarded by some as derogatory (though it is still used: see the usage note).

First known use, by meaning

  • from late 1970s A community of indigenous peoples of Canada (typically not including the Inuit or Metis), especially one officially recognized by the federal government.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.