Aboriginal Population, 2006

The Aboriginal population of Canada is diverse with distinct cultures, traditions and languages. Using the Census of Population, Aboriginal peoples may be identified using any of four concepts: Aboriginal identity; Aboriginal ancestry: member of an Indian band/First Nation; and Registered or Treaty Indian. The maps focus on the Aboriginal identity population, that is, persons who identified as North American Indian (First Nations people), Métis or Inuit.

The Aboriginal population shown in the 2006 map represents the population which reported 'Aboriginal identity' according to the derived census Aboriginal identity variable. Aboriginal identity refers to those persons who identified with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, North American Indian, 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.

The First Nations population represents the population which reported only 'North American Indian' identity according to the census. Both single and multiple responses to the Aboriginal identity question are possible, however, only the population reporting a single response of 'North American Indian' is included in these maps.

The Métis population represents the population which reported only 'Métis' identity according to the census. Both single and multiple responses to the Aboriginal identity question are possible, however, only the population reporting a single response of 'Métis' is included in these maps.

The Inuit population represents the population which reported only 'Inuit' identity according to the census. Inuit of the western Arctic are known as Inuvialuit; in these maps, the term 'Inuit' includes Inuvialuit.

The text was adapted from Statistics Canada, Aboriginal Peoples in Canada in 2006: Inuit, Métis and First Nations, 2006 Census, Catalogue no. 97-558-XIE2006001. Statistics Canada information is used with the permission of Statistics Canada. Information on the availability of the wide range of data from Statistics Canada can be obtained from the Statistics Canada’s Regional Offices, its World Wide Web site at www.statcan.gc.ca, and its toll-free access number 1-800-263-1136.