Nation

A nation is a people who see themselves as one political community, with or without a country of their own. Many indigenous peoples prefer 'nation' to 'tribe' because it stresses their right to govern themselves. In this sense a nation is not the same as a state, which is a government with borders.

Related words

Answers that use this word

• What is the difference between a tribe, an ethnic group, an indigenous people and a nation?
• What are the largest tribes in the United States?
• What is the difference between First Nations, Inuit and Métis?
• Is the word "tribe" offensive?
• What is a treaty with indigenous peoples?

Lessons that use this word

• Indigenous, tribal, ethnic group, nation: what the words mean and who decides