What does it mean for an Aboriginal person to self-identify?

If you are an Aboriginal person entering the justice system, you should identify yourself as a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit person so duty counsel or your lawyer can follow the areas of law that deal with Aboriginal rights. In other words, you should tell duty counsel or your lawyer that you are an Aboriginal person.

You should self-identify whether you live on or off-reserve, if you are status or non-status, or if you live in a rural or an urban area.