Nomenclature
Pursuant to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Act the term "Indian" remains in the department's legal name, although the term "Aboriginal" is used in its applied title under the Federal Identity Program.
The term "Indian" refers to Status Indians defined by the Indian Act. The term "Indian" is the legal term used in the Canadian Constitution and federal statutes. However its usage outside such situations has fallen into decline as has the term Eskimo and the term "First Nations" is often used in non-legal contexts.
The term "Aboriginal" is commonly used when referring to the three groups of indigenous peoples as a whole. It is also used by Aboriginal people who live within Canada who claim rights of sovereignty or Aboriginal title to lands. The department is overseen by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. The current Minister is James Moore (Acting) who assumed the position from John Duncan following his resignation.
Read more about this topic: Indian And Northern Affairs Canada