Aboriginal languages

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 Chart 8 Proportion of Aboriginal identity population with knowledge of at least one Aboriginal language, 2006

Seven in 10 Inuit have knowledge of the Inuit language

The percentage of the Aboriginal population who could converse in at least one Aboriginal language in 2006 was 22%. Inuit were the most likely (70%) to have knowledge of at least one Aboriginal language (the majority of Inuit speak the Inuit language) while 4% of Métis reported having knowledge of at least one Aboriginal language.

There was a difference between the First Nations populations living on and off reserve with regards to knowledge of an Aboriginal language. Just over half of First Nations people living on reserve reported having knowledge of at least one Aboriginal language compared to 12% of First Nations people living off reserve.

The 2006 Census found that as age increased so did the proportion of the Aboriginal population that had knowledge of at least one Aboriginal language. Among the Aboriginal population, 18% of children aged 14 years and younger had knowledge of at least one Aboriginal language compared to 37% for those aged 75 years and over.

Related data:

2006 Census of Canada: Topic-based tabulations: Aboriginal language characteristics

Special interest profiles: Aboriginal peoples

Related articles:

2006 Census: Aboriginal Peoples in Canada in 2006: Inuit, Métis and First Nations, 2006 Census

This article reveals that the number of people who identified themselves as an Aboriginal person has surpassed the one-million mark, and provides information on age distribution, Aboriginal languages, living arrangements, housing characteristics and geographic mobility. Separate data are provided for Inuit, Métis and First Nations people.

Several articles on Aboriginal languages in Canadian Social Trends.

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