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Classification of Aboriginal group
This classification was approved as a departmental standard on April 20, 2009.
1
Aboriginal peoples
This category includes persons who reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuit. Aboriginal peoples of Canada are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.
1.1
Single Aboriginal responses
This category includes persons who reported being one and only one of First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuit.
1.1.1
First Nations (North American Indian)
This category includes persons who reported being First Nations (North American Indian).
In the context of classifying persons, this category includes persons who reported the single Aboriginal response of First Nations (North American Indian) but did not report being Métis or Inuit. It does not include persons who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status or Membership in a First Nation or Indian band unless they also reported being First Nations (North American Indian).
In the context of classifying each individual response, this category includes persons who reported being First Nations (North American Indian). They may or may not have also reported being Métis and/or Inuit. This category does not include persons who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status or Membership in a First Nation or Indian band unless they also reported being First Nations (North American Indian).
1.1.2
Métis
This category includes persons who reported being Métis.
In the context of classifying persons, this category includes persons who reported the single Aboriginal response of Métis but did not report being First Nations (North American Indian) or Inuit. It does not include persons who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status or Membership in a First Nation or Indian band unless they also reported being Métis.
In the context of classifying each individual response, this category includes persons who reported being Métis. They may or may not have also reported being Inuit and/or First Nations (North American Indian). This category does not include persons who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status or Membership in a First Nation or Indian band unless they also reported being Métis.
1.1.3
Inuit
This category includes persons who reported being Inuit.
In the context of classifying persons, this category includes persons who reported the single Aboriginal response of Inuit but did not report being First Nations (North American Indian) or Métis. It does not include persons who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status or Membership in a First Nation or Indian band unless they also reported being Inuit.
In the context of classifying each individual response, this category includes persons who reported being Inuit. They may or may not have also reported being Métis and/or First Nations (North American Indian). This category does not include persons who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status or Membership in a First Nation or Indian band unless they also reported being Inuit.
1.2
Multiple Aboriginal responses
This category includes persons who reported being any two or all three of the following: First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuit.
2
Non-Aboriginal people
This category includes persons who did not report being an Aboriginal person, that is First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuit. Aboriginal peoples of Canada are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.
Usage
- The term "First Nations" can be used instead of the term "First Nations (North American Indian)" if accompanied by the following footnote:
First Nations refers to First Nations (North American Indian).
- The classification of Aboriginal group classifies persons. However, certain of its classes may also be used to classify responses (see classification of Aboriginal group response). The definitions presented here for the terms First Nations (North American Indian), Métis and Inuit reflect the use of these terms in both the classification of persons and the classification of responses. When presenting data on Aboriginal group, only the definitions pertaining to the classification of persons need be used.
