Aboriginal Statistics at a Glance: 2nd Edition

Warning View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Introduction

Aboriginal Statistics at a Glance provides data users with a thematic guide to Aboriginal data at Statistics Canada. Each theme is illustrated with a chart or table presenting key indicators as well as a plain language description of the indicator.

There are various ways to define the Aboriginal population based on the four related questions asked in the National Household Survey (NHS) and previously in the Census of Population: Aboriginal ancestry (ethnic origin); Aboriginal identity, Registered or Treaty Indian status; and Membership in a First Nation/Indian band depending on the focus and requirements of the data user.

This document focuses on the Aboriginal identity population. Aboriginal identity refers to those persons who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit), and/or those who reported Registered or Treaty Indian status, as defined by the Indian Act, and/or those who reported membership in a First Nation/Indian band.

As much as possible, 2011 NHS data are presented for each of the three Aboriginal identity groups: First Nations (North American Indian), Métis, and Inuit. Although in the NHS, it was possible to report both single and multiple responses to the Aboriginal identity question, NHS data presented in this document for First Nations (North American Indian), Métis and Inuit are based solely on single responses. Note that multiple Aboriginal identities accounted for less than 1% of the Aboriginal identity population.

For additional information on Aboriginal data at Statistics Canada, please visit these pages on our website: Aboriginal peoples and National Household Survey - Analytical products, 2011.