I think we have to differentiate between two different meanings of people.

1. people = ethnic/tribal group, nation (can be singular or plural) So "we are a people" is as unproblematic as "we are a nation". Rather old-fashioned now perhaps.

A great people will arise in the West.
The peoples who poured over the Rhine were fleeing from invaders further East.

2. people = humans in general (plural)
I think most people agree.
People have been known to plummet to their deaths from high buildings.



Bingley

Bingley