Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for Newfoundland and Labrador
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About the data sources
The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) and the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) are the main data sources for this fact sheet. The 2011 NHS collected social and economic data about the Canadian population. The 2012 APS was a national survey of First Nations people living off reserve, Métis, and Inuit aged 6 and older. The data are for the Aboriginal identity population, which refers to people who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, First Nations, Métis or Inuit, and/or those who reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act of Canada, and/or those who reported they were members of an Indian band or First Nation. It was possible to report both single and multiple responses to the Aboriginal identity questions on the NHS and the APS. The NHS data in this fact sheet are based on single responses only. The APS data represent a combination of the single and multiple Aboriginal identity populations. Nearly all off-reserve First Nations, Métis, and Inuit respondents reported a single identity.
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About 3% of Aboriginal people in Canada live in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Numbering 35,800, about 3% of the Aboriginal identity population in Canada lived in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011. They made up 7% of the total population of that province. Newfoundland and Labrador had the largest Aboriginal population of all the Atlantic provinces.
- About one in eight (13%) Aboriginal people in Newfoundland and Labrador resided in Corner Brook, representing 18% of the total population living there.
- Newfoundland and Labrador was home to 19,315 First Nations people, 7,660 Métis, and 6,260 Inuit, with the rest reporting otherNote 1 Aboriginal identities (2,300) or more than one Aboriginal identity (260). From 2006 to 2011, the First Nations population in Newfoundland and Labrador more than doubled, while the Métis population rose by 19%, and the Inuit population rose by 33%.Note 2
- An estimated 41% (8,015) of those who identified as First Nations people in 2011 reported being a Treaty or Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act. Most First Nations people in Newfoundland and Labrador lived off reserve; 15% or 2,865 individuals (35% of First Nations people who were Treaty or Registered Indians, or 2,805 individuals) lived on a reserve.
Aboriginal population younger than non-Aboriginal
- Four in ten (39%) Aboriginal people in Newfoundland and Labrador were under the age of 25, compared with 26% of the non-Aboriginal population; 41% of both Métis and Inuit were in this age group, as were 38% of First Nations people (55% of those living on a reserve and 35% of the off-reserve population).
- In 2011, the median age of First Nations people was 34.6; the on-reserve population was younger (22.0) than those living off reserve (37.6). Métis had a median age of 33.1; that of Inuit was 30.7. All three groups were younger than the non-Aboriginal population, whose median age was 44.3.
Two-thirds of Aboriginal children live with both parents
- In Newfoundland and Labrador, 60% of First Nations children aged 14 and younger lived in a family with both their parents in 2011, as did 77% of Métis children and 63% of Inuit children. The corresponding percentage for non-Aboriginal children was 71%. In addition, 28% of First Nations children, 18% of Métis children and 22% of Inuit and non-Aboriginal children lived in a lone-parent family.
- In 2011, 2% of Aboriginal children aged 14 and younger were in foster care; at 4%, the percentage was highest for Inuit children and First Nations children living on reserve. Moreover, of all Newfoundland and Labrador children in foster care in 2011, 28% were Aboriginal children, over half of whom (53%) were First Nations children.
Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Métis single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | On reserve | Off reserve | |||||
percent | |||||||
Children of both parentsTable 1, Note 1 | 64.8 | 59.7 | 50.7 | 62.7 | 76.6 | 63.5 | 70.7 |
Stepchildren | 5.7 | 5.7 | 9.4 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 8.9 | 5.5 |
Children of lone parent | 24.5 | 27.5 | 27.6 | 27.5 | 18.4 | 22.2 | 22.4 |
Grandchildren in skip-generation family | 2.7 | 4.5 | 5.9 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
Foster children | 1.8 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 4.1 | 0.6 |
Children living with other relativesTable 1, Note 2 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
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On-reserve First Nations people most likely to live in crowded homes
- In 2011, 31% of First Nations people living on a reserve in Newfoundland and Labrador lived in crowded homes, that is, with more than one person per room. Among both off-reserve First Nations people and Métis, the percentage was 1%, and among Inuit, 10%. The comparable figure for the non-Aboriginal population was 1%.
- An estimated 20% of Inuit and 19% of on-reserve First Nations people lived in homes in need of major repairs, as did 13% of off-reserve First Nations people and Métis.
Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Métis single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | On reserve | Off reserve | |||||
percent | |||||||
CrowdingTable 2, Note 1 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 30.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 9.5 | 1.0 |
Home in need of majorTable 2, Note 2 repairs | 14.1 | 14.0 | 19.2 | 13.1 | 12.5 | 19.8 | 7.4 |
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Seven in ten on-reserve First Nations people speak an Aboriginal language
- Seven in ten First Nations people living on a reserve in Newfoundland and Labrador reported an Aboriginal mother tongue (69%) and the ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language (71%). The Aboriginal language most commonly spoken by First Nations people was Innu/Montagnais.
- Among Inuit, 12% had an Aboriginal mother tongue while 15% reported the ability to converse in an Aboriginal language. Inuktitut was the Aboriginal language most commonly spoken by Inuit.Note 3
- Based on results of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey,Note 4 62% of off-reserve First Nations people, 42% of Métis and 74% of Inuit aged 6 and older reported that speaking and understanding an Aboriginal language was important to them.
Description for Chart 1
The title of the graph is "Chart 1 Ability to converse in an Aboriginal language and Aboriginal language as mother tongue, by selected Aboriginal identity group and area of residence, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011."
This is a column clustered chart.
There are in total 6 categories in the horizontal axis. The vertical axis starts at 0 and ends at 80 with ticks every 10 points.
There are 2 series in this graph.
The vertical axis is "percent."
The horizontal axis is "Aboriginal identity groups."
The title of series 1 is "Ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language."
The minimum value is 0.1 and it corresponds to "Métis single identity."
The maximum value is 70.9 and it corresponds to "First Nations single identity (on reserve)."
The title of series 2 is "Aboriginal language as mother tongue."
The minimum value is 0.0 and it corresponds to "Métis single identity."
The maximum value is 69.1 and it corresponds to "First Nations single identity (on reserve)."
Ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language | Aboriginal language as mother tongue | |
---|---|---|
Total Aboriginal identity population | 8.5 | 7.7 |
First Nations single identity | 10.8 | 10.4 |
First Nations single identity (on reserve) | 70.9 | 69.1 |
First Nations single identity (off reserve) | 0.4 | 0.2 |
Métis single identity | 0.1 | 0.0 |
Inuit single identity | 14.9 | 11.5 |
Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011. |
More than half have postsecondary qualifications
- In 2011, 55% of Aboriginal people aged 25 to 64 in Newfoundland and Labrador had a certificate, diploma or degree from a trade school, college or university: 55% of First Nations people, 59% of Métis and 54% of Inuit. The comparable percentage for their non-Aboriginal counterparts was 59%.
- There was a difference in the proportion of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people with “no certificate, diploma or degree”. In 2011, 29% of First Nations people aged 25 to 64, 25% of Métis and 29% of Inuit did not have a certificate, diploma or degree. The corresponding percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 20%.
Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Métis single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | On reserve | Off reserve | |||||
percent | |||||||
No certificate, diploma or degree | 27.5 | 28.6 | 55.8 | 24.8 | 25.0 | 28.9 | 19.8 |
High school diploma or equivalent | 17.0 | 16.8 | 10.8 | 17.5 | 15.9 | 17.2 | 21.2 |
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 55.5 | 54.8 | 32.9 | 57.6 | 59.0 | 53.8 | 59.0 |
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma | 15.6 | 13.6 | 13.8 | 13.5 | 18.9 | 17.6 | 15.1 |
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma | 24.8 | 25.9 | 14.6 | 27.3 | 26.6 | 20.7 | 23.9 |
University certificate or diploma below bachelor levelTable 3, Note 1 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 3.2 |
University certificate, diploma or degree at bachelor level or above | 12.5 | 12.5 | 2.9 | 13.7 | 12.2 | 12.9 | 16.7 |
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Employment rates and median total income increase with education
- In 2011, the employment rates of First Nations people, Métis and Inuit aged 25 to 64 in Newfoundland and Labrador who did not have a certificate, diploma or degree were 37.1%, 31.8% and 29.6% respectively. Employment rates were higher for those with further education. For example, among those with postsecondary credentials, the employment rate of First Nations people was 67.7%, while that of Métis was 76.3% and that of Inuit, 73.6%.
Total Aboriginal identity population | First Nations single identity | Métis single identity | Inuit single identity | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | On reserve | Off reserve | |||||
employment rate (percent) | |||||||
Total | 58.0 | 56.2 | 58.8 | 55.8 | 61.2 | 57.9 | 64.3 |
No certificate, diploma or degree | 34.8 | 37.1 | 53.7 | 32.2 | 31.8 | 29.6 | 40.2 |
High school diploma or equivalent |
52.6 | 51.0 | 63.0 | 50.3 | 52.0 | 55.9 | 58.9 |
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 71.2 | 67.7 | 67.1 | 67.7 | 76.3 | 73.6 | 74.4 |
Source: Statistics Canada, National Household Survey, 2011. |
- Median total incomeNote 5 was also higher for those with higher education levels. Among First Nations people aged 25 to 64, median total income (rounded to the nearest $1,000) ranged from $17,000 for those with no certificate, diploma or degree to $33,000 for those with postsecondary credentials. The range for Métis was from $23,000 to $42,000, and for Inuit, from $16,000 to $40,000.
Half rated their health as excellent or very good
- Based on results of the Aboriginal Peoples Survey, more than half (56%) the Aboriginal population aged 12 and older in Newfoundland and Labrador rated their health as excellent or very good in 2012: 51% of First Nations people living off reserve, 66% of Métis, and 57% of Inuit.
- Self-reported health varied much more by age group among off-reserve First Nations people, Métis and Inuit than among the non-Aboriginal population.Note 6 For example, at ages 12 to 24, 78% of off-reserve First Nations people rated their health as excellent or very good; by age 45 or older, the figure was 35%. The corresponding percentages for non-Aboriginal people were 64% and 56%.
Description for Chart 2
The title of the graph is "Chart 2 Excellent or very good self-rated overall health of population aged 12 and over, by selected Aboriginal identity group and age group, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2012."
This is a column clustered chart.
There are in total 5 categories in the horizontal axis. The vertical axis starts at 0 and ends at 90 with ticks every 10 points.
There are 4 series in this graph.
The vertical axis is "percent."
The horizontal axis is "Aboriginal identity groups."
The title of series 1 is "Total."
The minimum value is 51.3 and it corresponds to "Off-reserve First Nations people."
The maximum value is 65.9 and it corresponds to "Métis."
The title of series 2 is "12 to 24 years."
The minimum value is 63.5 and it corresponds to "Non-Aboriginal identity population."
The maximum value is 77.8 and it corresponds to "Off-reserve First Nations people."
The title of series 3 is "25 to 44 years."
The minimum value is 56.3 and it corresponds to "Off-reserve First Nations people."
The maximum value is 78.3 and it corresponds to "Métis."
The title of series 4 is "45 years and over."
The minimum value is 34.8 and it corresponds to "Off-reserve First Nations people."
The maximum value is 56.3 and it corresponds to "Non-Aboriginal identity population."
Total | 12 to 24 years | 25 to 44 years | 45 years and over | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Total Aboriginal identity population (excluding reserves) | 56.4 | 74.3 | 63.4 | 40.9 |
Off-reserve First Nations people | 51.3 | 77.8 | 56.3 | 34.8 |
Métis | 65.9 | 71.6 | 78.3 | 50.4Note E: Use with caution |
Inuit | 57.1 | 69.1 | 61.3 | 46.3Note E: Use with caution |
Non-Aboriginal identity population | 60.3 | 63.5 | 66.6 | 56.3 |
E use with caution Sources: Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012; and Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012. |
- The majority (66% of off-reserve First Nations people, 79% of Métis and 67% of Inuit) of those aged 18 and older reported excellent or very good mental health.Note 7
- Six in ten (60%) off-reserve First Nations people, half of Métis (53%) and 45% of Inuit aged 12 and older reported that they had been diagnosed with at least one chronic condition. The corresponding percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 62%.
- Among Aboriginal people, commonly reported conditions included high blood pressure (20%), arthritis excluding fibromyalgia (19%), and asthma (13%). In addition, 6%Note E: Use with caution reported being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and 5%Note E: Use with caution reported a mood disorder.
Total Aboriginal identity population (excluding reserves) | Off-reserve First Nations people | Métis | Inuit | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
percent | |||||
Total | 68.5 | 65.8 | 78.5 | 66.6 | 75.4 |
18 to 24 | 75.5 | 76.4 | 78.9 | 68.9 | 71.4 |
25 to 44 | 74.6 | 77.7 | 76.7 | 60.9 | 78.6 |
45 and over | 62.8 | 56.7 | 79.9 | 70.0 | 74.5 |
Sources: Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012; and Canadian Community Health Survey, 2012. |
Three in ten Inuit smoked daily
- In 2012, 18%Note E: Use with caution of off-reserve First Nations people aged 12 and older in Newfoundland and Labrador reported that they smoked daily, as did 19%Note E: Use with caution of Métis and 30% of Inuit. The comparable percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 20%.
Description for Chart 3
The title of the graph is "Chart 3 Selected health behaviours of population aged 12 and over, by selected Aboriginal identity group, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2012."
This is a column clustered chart.
There are in total 3 categories in the horizontal axis. The vertical axis starts at 0 and ends at 40 with ticks every 10 points.
There are 5 series in this graph.
The vertical axis is "percent."
The horizontal axis is "Health behaviours."
The title of series 1 is "Total Aboriginal identity population
(excluding reserves)."
The minimum value is 20.8 and it corresponds to "Daily smoking."
The maximum value is 31.6 and it corresponds to "Heavy drinkingChart 3, Note 1."
The title of series 2 is "Off-reserve First
Nations people."
The minimum value is 18.2Note E: Use with caution and it corresponds to "Daily smoking."
The maximum value is 29.7 and it corresponds to "Heavy drinkingChart 3, Note 1."
The title of series 3 is "Métis."
The minimum value is 18.8Note E: Use with caution and it corresponds to "Daily smoking."
The maximum value is 30.2Note E: Use with caution and it corresponds to "Heavy drinkingChart 3, Note 1."
The title of series 4 is "Inuit."
The minimum value is 24.3 and it corresponds to "Non-drinking."
The maximum value is 36.6 and it corresponds to "Heavy drinkingChart 3, Note 1."
The title of series 5 is "Non-Aboriginal
identity population."
The minimum value is 20.1 and it corresponds to "Daily smoking."
The maximum value is 35.4 and it corresponds to "Heavy drinkingChart 3, Note 1."
Total Aboriginal identity population (excluding reserves) | Off-reserve First Nations people | Métis | Inuit | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daily smoking | 20.8 | 18.2Note E: Use with caution | 18.8Note E: Use with caution | 30.2 | 20.1 |
Heavy drinkingChart 3, Note 1 | 31.6 | 29.7 | 30.2Note E: Use with caution | 36.6 | 35.4 |
Non-drinking | 26.3 | 25.1 | 30.0 | 24.3 | 22.2 |
E use with caution
|
- For those aged 12 or older, the prevalence of heavy drinking (five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month in the 12 months preceding the survey) was 30% for off-reserve First Nations people, 30%Note E: Use with caution for Métis, and 37% for Inuit. This compared with 35% for non-Aboriginal people.
- At the same time, 25% of off-reserve First Nations people, 30% of Métis and 24% of Inuit were non-drinkers (consumed no alcohol in the 12 months preceding the survey). The percentage for the non-Aboriginal population was 22%.
Total Aboriginal identity population (excluding reserves) | Non-Aboriginal identity population | |
---|---|---|
percent | ||
12 to 24 | ||
Daily smoking | 16.5Note E: Use with caution | 17.5Note E: Use with caution |
Heavy drinkingTable 6, Note 1 | 47.1 | 46.2 |
Non-drinking | 35.2 | 30.6 |
25 to 44 | ||
Daily smoking | 25.2 | 24.6 |
Heavy drinking | 41.3 | 46.5 |
Non-drinking | 18.6Note E: Use with caution | 12.0Note E: Use with caution |
45 and over | ||
Daily smoking | 20.5Note E: Use with caution | 18.7 |
Heavy drinking | 16.4Note E: Use with caution | 26.2 |
Non-drinking | 26.2 | 24.6 |
E use with caution
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This fact sheet was prepared by Elena Chernikova of the Social and Aboriginal Statistics Division of Statistics Canada.
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