Culture and connections among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit

Culture and community play a vital role in the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

In 2024, Statistics Canada surveyed First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit on a number of topics, through the new Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis and Inuit (SSFNPMI).

Let’s have a look at the key findings from the three panels of the survey, conducted from May to December 2024.

Indigenous Peoples place a high value on health care services that respect and incorporate Indigenous culture and traditions

Understanding Indigenous people’s access to and experiences with health care is essential for addressing long-standing disparities, ensuring culturally safe services and advancing reconciliation.

The first panel survey of the SSFNPMI, collected from May 21 to June 9, 2024, examined health care access and experiences among Indigenous people.

The majority of First Nations people living off reserve (86%), Métis (70%) and Inuit (82%) reported it was either very important or somewhat important to have health care services that support Indigenous traditional medicines, healing and wellness practices.

Of those who stated that culturally appropriate services were important, 68% of First Nations people living off reserve, 61% of Métis and 67% of Inuit reported such services would make them feel respected for their culture, beliefs and identity. Roughly half of First Nations people living off reserve (49%) and Inuit (50%) as well as 37% of Métis reported that such services would make them more likely to seek health care. Close to half of Inuit (48%), 41% of First Nations people living off reserve and 32% of Métis reported that these services would make them feel safer discussing sensitive or traumatic experiences.

The ability to engage in traditional harvesting activities affected by rising prices

The second panel survey ran from September 3 to 22, 2024. It assessed the well-being of Indigenous people, along with the ways in which rising prices have impacted the lives of First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit.

In 2022, the Consumer Price Index increased at a rate not seen since the early 1980s. The rate of increase slowed in 2023 and 2024, but prices have largely remained elevated and have affected the lives of people across Canada in numerous ways.

Among Indigenous people, 17% of First Nations people living off reserve, 14% of Métis and 32% of Inuit reported that rising prices limited their ability to hunt, fish or trap during the past six months because of reasons such as the cost of gasoline, ammunition or equipment.

Land-based food gathering activities as a means of subsistence in the North have also been affected by the high cost of equipment and fuel for shipping and hunting. Among Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat, more than half (52%) reported that rising prices limited their ability to hunt, trap or fish. The share of Inuit living outside Inuit Nunangat was significantly lower (12%).

Long-term impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters can affect contact with family and friends, as well as the ability to engage in land-based activities

The third and final panel survey, conducted from November 18 to December 15, 2024, examined the level of emergency preparedness and experiences with extreme weather and natural disasters of Indigenous people.

For many Indigenous people, land-based activities form a connection point where culture is maintained and communal life is expressed. Extreme weather events can negatively affect these connections.

Indigenous people who had experienced an extreme weather event or natural disaster were asked to report on any long-term impacts arising from such an experience. One in 10 First Nations people living off reserve (10%) reported a loss of contact with family or friends. This proportion was slightly higher among Métis (14%).

Many Inuit cited an extreme weather event or natural disaster as negatively affecting their ability to engage in land-based activities. For Inuit, the inability to hunt, fish, trap or gather wild plants (17%) was reported most frequently as a long-term impact.

To learn more

Two new tables from the SSFNPMI were released this week (41-10-0082-01 and 41-10-0083-01),  complementing another table released in April (41-10-0081-01).

Visit the Statistics on Indigenous Peoples portal to view all of Statistics Canada’s data and analyses related to First Nations people, Métis and Inuit.