Aboriginal people lived in Canada before any immigrants came. The Charter says that it will keep all of the promises in other agreements (treaties) made with the Aboriginal people (e.g. about land ownership).

1800s - 1980s: Schools that the Canadian government put Aboriginal children in. They were far away from parents and Aboriginal communities. Students were not allowed to speak their own languages and some were physically abused. In 2008, the Canadian government apologized for this treatment.

The Constitutional right for Aboriginal peoples to own the land they lived on. In 1763, King George III promised this to Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

Aboriginal peoples who live in small towns and communities across the Arctic. Only 4% of Aboriginal peoples are Inuit.

Aboriginal peoples who are not Inuit or Métis. Half of the First Nations peoples live in reserves.

Land where many Aboriginal Peoples live. The government legally owns this land. There are around 600 of these communities in Canada.

The right to challenge unlawful detention by the state.

Canadians can live and work anywhere they want in Canada. They can go in and out of the country, and apply for a passport.

This says that the Government of Canada has to use both English and French equally in Parliament, and in the government.

Canada is proud of being a multicultural country. We try to respect many ways of doing things, and many different beliefs, and live together in peace.

Everyone must obey the law, even if they are in a high position.

It is important to get a job, and take care of one’s family, and to work hard. This helps to make Canada a strong country.

When a person is in court, a jury is a group of people who help the judge to make decisions about whether the person who is on trial is guilty or not guilty. You must serve on a jury if you are asked.

You are responsible to vote in elections. Voting is done by secret ballot (no one can know who you voted for).

Canadian citizens often volunteer. This means that they work without pay to help people. It is a good way to gain useful skills, make friends and network for jobs.

Every Canadian citizen needs to help protect Canada by avoiding waste and pollution.

People who speak French as a first language. 7 million Francophones live in Canada. Most live in Quebec.

People who speak English as a first language. 18 million Anglophones live in Canada.

A word that means "village" in the Iroquoian language. The origin of the name "Canada".

A group of people who have similar ideas about how their city, province or country should be governed.

A card that tells you when and where you can vote. The National Register of Electors mails a card to everyone who is a registered voter.

A poll that allows you to vote before election day, if you want to.

When you choose a political candidate by marking an "X" next to their name on a ballot.

Where you put your ballot after you have chosen a candidate.

A justice system where everyone has just and fair treatment, with all of their legal rights. Canada's justice system has this.

The belief that someone is innocent until proven guilty. Canada's justice system believes this.

Problems that people argue about. People can settle disputes in court.

When a national (federal) government deals with general national issues, and each province or territory manages local issues. Canada is a federal state.

When citizens vote in democratic elections, and elected politicians go to parliament to make laws. Canada is a parliamentary democracy.

When the majority of elected representatives in the House of Commons vote that they are not confident that cabinet ministers are doing their job. This leads to an election.

A group of 52 countries who are loyal to the Queen. Canada is a part of the commonwealth.

A race-based fee that was charged for Chinese who entered Canada. The Government of Canada apologized for this in 2006.

The location voters go to vote.

The table inside the voting place where a voter receives his/her ballot.

The person who goes door to door collecting names of eligible voters for the voters list.

The person who is responsible to conduct the election in an electoral division.

The piece of paper a voter uses to vote.

For federal elections, the country of Canada is divided into 308 areas. Each area is called a constituency or a riding, and has some candidates who will run for office in the federal election.

For provincial elections, each province or territory is split into a number of areas. Each area is called an electoral division.

For municipal elections, each municipality (city, town..etc) is split into a number of areas. Each area is called a ward.

A city and the area around it (e.g. the National Capital Region is the area around Ottawa, including Ottawa).

A type of land which is very dry, and where the soft rock has been eroded (washed or blown away) by wind and/or water for a long period of time. Exist in Alberta.

Tundra has frozen soil under the top layer, and no trees. Exists in the North region of Canada.

A municipal law.