Canada's Native population tops 1 million mark

Thursday, January 17, 2008  

The Aboriginal population in Canada surpassed the one-million mark for the first time, according to statistics released this week.

A total of 1,172,790 people identified themselves as Indian, Metis or Inuit, Statistics Canada reported. That's up from the 2001 count of 976,305 and the 1996 count of 799,010.

The 2006 data means Aboriginal people account for 3.8 percent of Canada's total population. In comparison, American Indians and Alaska Natives represent less than 1 percent of the United States population.

In addition to growing numbers, Statistics Canada said the Aboriginal population is outpacing the rest of the nation. Between 1996 and 2006, it increased 45 percent, compared to just 8 percent for the general population.

"The First Nations population is growing 3.5 times faster than the Canadian population," said Phil Fontaine, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, in response to the data.

Part of the increase is attributed to larger numbers of people who identify themselves as Metis, a term used to describe historic and distinct communities where Indians and non-Indians mixed. In 2006, Metis accounted for 33 percent of the Aboriginal population, up from 30 percent in 2001 and 26 percent in 1996.

But Aboriginals are is also experiencing a high birth rate. According to the data, the Indian, Metis and Inuit population is far younger than the general population.

Statistics Canada said the median age of the Indian population was 25, the median age of the Metis population was 30 and the median age of the Inuit population was 20. In comparison, the median age of the non-Aboriginal population in 2006 was 40.

"More than half of the people in our communities are school age or under the age of 25," Fontaine noted.

Despite the growth in Inuit and Metis communities, the Indian, or First Nations, population continues to represent the largest segment of the Aboriginal population. In 2006, First Nations people accounted for 60 percent of the Native population, with most living in western Canada.

The Northwest Territories had the highest percentage of First Nations people -- 60 percent. It was followed by the Yukon Territory, with a First Nations population of 21 percent.

First Nations people in Saskatchewan accounted for 10 percent of the general population. In neighboring Manitoba, First Nations were 9 percent of the population in 2006.

Most First Nations people live in urban areas, according to Statistics Canada. Only 40 percent lived on reserves in 2006.

Fontaine, however, took issue with this figure. He said Statistics Canada fails to differentiate between Indians who are registered under the Indian Status Act and those who aren't.

The overwhelming majority of people who live on reserves -- 98 percent -- are registered under the Status Act. But most people who live off the reserve are not registered, Fontaine said.

Fontaine also said Statistics Canada has undercounted the true on-reserve population by about 200,000. "This discrepancy of more than 25 per cent is potentially harmful and could have serious negative impacts on future policy and economic decisions if it is not properly taken into account," he said.

Get the Data:
Summary | Aboriginal Peoples in Canada in 2006: Inuit, Métis and First Nations, 2006 Census: Findings

Relevant Links:
Statistics Canada - http://www.statcan.ca
Assembly of First Nations - http://www.afn.ca