P O L I T I C A L M E M B E R S H I P
Indigenous peoples in Canada have diverse cultures, traditions, histories and identities. In addition to their specific national identities (like Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Mohawk, Cree or Cayuga), they sometimes also participate and identify with specific political groups. These groups could be based on regions, treaties, geography, tribal councils or other political affiliation.
There are also other political groups which focus on a specific constituency, i.e. Indigenous peoples who live on and off reserve, Status or Non-status Indians, Métis peoples, and Inuit. Sometimes these political groups can be further sub-divided into specific categories like those who represent Indigenous women's issues for example.
While there are numerous Indigenous organizations in Canada, there are four main National "Aboriginal" Organizations (NAOs):
Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
Métis National Council (MNC)
These NAOs generally don't have direct individual membership, but instead represent provincial or territorial organizations (PTOs) that have direct membership. For example, there is no direct membership in CAP, but there is direct membership in their PTO affiliates. The MNC's structure is similar to CAP's.
Similarly, there is no direct membership in the AFN, but the organization is composed of most of the Chiefs of First Nations in Canada. It is those individual First Nations that have direct membership. Specific regions or agreement areas can be represented as is done in the ITK.
There are many political divisions amongst Indigenous peoples, but no more or less so than those that can be found within other Nations or provinces like Canada or the United States. Quite often these Aboriginal organisations work together towards common goals, while at other times they agree to disagree on certain issues that are particular to their organization.