Not applicable

Aboriginal ancestry refers to whether a person reported ancestry associated with the Aboriginal peoples of Canada in the ethnic origin question (Question 17).

Aboriginal peoples of Canada are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.

Ancestry refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of the respondent's ancestors, an ancestor being usually more distant than a grandparent. A person can have more than one ethnic or cultural origin.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population in private households

Question no.: Direct variable: Question 17

Responses: Information on Aboriginal ancestry is collected in Question 17: Ethnic origin. In Question 17, respondents were asked to specify as many origins (ancestries) as applicable. Four lines were provided for write-in responses and up to six ethnic origins (ancestries) were retained.

Aboriginal ancestry responses can be presented in different ways. For one possible presentation, please refer to Appendix 1.2 which provides the complete 2011 National Household Survey classification for ethnic origin.

Remarks: Aboriginal respondents to the National Household Survey (NHS) received one of two different NHS questionnaires: the NHS N1 or the NHS N2. Persons living on Indian reserves and Indian settlements were enumerated with the 2011 NHS N2 questionnaire.

On both the NHS N1 and N2 questionnaires, the Ethnic origin question asked: 'What were the ethnic or cultural origins of this person's ancestors?' and the following notes were provided:

• This question collects information on the ancestral origins of the population and provides information about the composition of Canada's diverse population.
• ancestor is usually more distant than a grandparent.
• Specify as many origins as applicable using capital letters.

On the NHS N1 questionnaire, the following examples of ethnic origins were provided:

Canadian, English, French, Chinese, East Indian, Italian, German, Scottish, Irish, Cree, Mi'kmaq, Salish, Métis, Inuit, Filipino, Dutch, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese, Greek, Korean, Vietnamese, Jamaican, Jewish, Lebanese, Salvadorean, Somali, Colombian, etc.

On the NHS N2 questionnaire, the list of examples was different:

Cree, Ojibway, Mi'kmaq, Salish, Dene, Blackfoot, Inuit, Métis, Canadian, French, English, German, etc.

Additional instructions were provided to NHS respondents in the 2011 NHS guide:

• This question refers to the ethnic or cultural origin or origins of a persons ancestors. Other than Aboriginal persons, most people can trace their origins to their ancestors who first came to this continent. Ancestry should not be confused with citizenship or nationality.
• For all persons, report the specific ethnic or cultural group or groups to which their ancestors belonged, not the language they spoke. For example, report 'Haitian' rather than 'French,' or 'Austrian' rather than 'German.'
• For persons of East Indian or South Asian origins, report a specific origin or origins. Do not report 'Indian.' For example, report 'East Indian from India,' 'East Indian from Guyana,' or indicate the specific group, such as 'Punjabi' or 'Tamil.'
• For persons with Aboriginal ancestors, report a specific origin or origins. For example, report 'Cree,' 'Mi'kmaq,' 'Ojibway,' 'Métis,' or 'North American Indian.' Do not report 'Indian.'

Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011, there were a total of 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated' in the NHS. For these reserves or settlements, NHS enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario). For additional information, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of ethnic origin data, refer to the Ethnic Origin Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

There are different ways to define the Aboriginal population in Canada. The 2011 NHS provides information on Aboriginal ancestry, Aboriginal group, Aboriginal identity, Registered or Treaty Indian status and Membership in a First Nation or Indian band.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.

Not applicable

'Aboriginal group' refers to whether the person reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) in Question 18. Aboriginal peoples of Canada are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. A person may report being in more than one of those three specific groups.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population in private households

Question no.: Direct variable: Question 18

Responses: Respondents could reply 'Yes, First Nations (North American Indian),' 'Yes, Métis,' 'Yes, Inuk (Inuit)' or 'No, not an Aboriginal person' by checking off the appropriate mark-in circle in Question 18.

The resulting standard classification is described in the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

Remarks: In the 2011 NHS, Question 18 asked 'Is this person an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?'

A note accompanying the question stated that:

First Nations (North American Indian) includes Status and Non-Status Indians.

As well, additional instructions were provided to respondents in the 2011 National Household Survey Guide:

• Answer this question regardless of whether or not this person is an Aboriginal person of North America.
• Aboriginal people are usually those with ancestors who resided in North America prior to European contact and who identify with one of the three Aboriginal groups listed on the questionnaire-First Nations (North American Indian), Métis and Inuit.
• Persons who consider themselves to be East Indian or Asian Indian, or who have ethnic roots on the subcontinent of India, should respond 'No' to this question.
• Individuals who refer to themselves as Métis in the context of mixed ancestry, but who do not have North American Aboriginal ancestry-for example, those from Africa, the Caribbean and South America-should respond 'No.'

Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011, there were a total of 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated' in the NHS. For these reserves or settlements, NHS enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario). For additional information, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011. For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.

Not applicable

'Aboriginal identity' refers to whether the person reported being an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations (North
American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or being a Registered or Treaty Indian (that is, registered under the
Indian Act of Canada) and/or being a member of a First Nation or Indian band. Aboriginal peoples of Canada are
defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population in private households

Question nos.: Derived variable: Questions 18, 20 and 21

Responses: Aboriginal identity is derived from data collected in three questions: Aboriginal group (Question 18); Registered or Treaty Indian status (Question 20); and Membership in a First Nation or Indian band (Question 21). In Question 18, respondents could respond 'Yes, First Nations (North American Indian),' 'Yes, Métis,' 'Yes, Inuk (Inuit)' or 'No, not an Aboriginal person' by checking off the appropriate mark-in circle. In Question 20, respondents could respond 'No' or 'Yes, Status Indian (Registered or Treaty).' In Question 21, respondents could respond 'No' or 'Yes, member of a First Nation/Indian band'.

The resulting standard classifications are described in the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011. One classification is as follows:

Total population - Aboriginal identity

  Aboriginal identity

    Aboriginal single identity

      First Nations (North American Indian) single identity

      Métis single identity

      Inuk (Inuit) single identity

    Aboriginal multiple identities

    Aboriginal identities not included elsewhere

  Non-Aboriginal identity


Remarks: Aboriginal identity is a derived variable. For more information on the input variables for the Aboriginal identity variable in the 2011 National Household Survey, refer to the definitions for Aboriginal group, Registered or Treaty Indian status and Membership in a First Nation or Indian band.

Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011, there were a total of 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated' in the NHS. For these reserves or settlements, NHS enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario). For additional information, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.

Not applicable

'Area of residence: Inuit Nunangat' refers to the four regions of Inuit Nunangat and 'outside Inuit Nunangat.' Inuit Nunangat is the homeland of Inuit of Canada. It includes the communities located in the four Inuit regions: Nunatsiavut (Northern coastal Labrador), Nunavik (Northern Quebec), the territory of Nunavut and the Inuvialuit region of the Northwest Territories. These regions collectively encompass the area traditionally occupied by Inuit in Canada.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population in private households

Question no.: Not applicable

Responses: The standard classification for 'Area of residence: Inuit Nunangat' is:

• Total - Area of residence: Inuit Nunangat
• Inuit Nunangat
• Nunatsiavut
• Nunavik
• Nunavut
• Inuvialuit region
• Outside Inuit Nunangat

Remarks: For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.

Not applicable

'Area of residence: On reserve' refers to the following geographic areas: Indian reserves and settlements (referred to as 'On reserve'), and all other areas (referred to as ' Off reserve). These geographic areas can be used to show where people, primarily Registered Indians and First Nations people, reside. 'On reserve' includes six census subdivisions (CSDs) types legally affiliated with First Nations or Indian bands, i.e., Indian reserve (IRI), Indian settlement (S-É) (except for the five Yukon settlements of Champagne Landing 10, Klukshu, Two and One-Half Mile Village, Two Mile Village and Kloo Lake), Indian government district (IGD), terres réservées aux Cris (TC), terres réservées aux Naskapis (TK) and Nisga'a land (NL), as well as the northern village of Sandy Bay in Saskatchewan.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population in private households

Question no.: Not applicable

Responses: The NHS classification for Area of residence: On reserve is:

• Total - Area of residence: On Reserve
• On reserve
• Off reserve

Remarks: 'On reserve' is a derived variable that is captured by using the census subdivision (CSD) type according to criteria established by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC; formerly Indian and Northern Affairs Canada [INAC]). The 'On reserve' population includes people living in any of the six CSD types legally affiliated with First Nations or Indian bands (described below), as well as the northern village of Sandy Bay in Saskatchewan.

The following census subdivision types are based on the legal definition of communities affiliated with First Nations or Indian bands.

1. Indian reserve (IRI) - A tract of federally owned land with specific boundaries that is set apart for the use and benefit of an Indian band and that is governed by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC). Statistics Canada only recognizes the subset of Indian reserves that are populated (or potentially populated) as census subdivisions. For 2011, of the more than 3,100 Indian reserves across Canada, there are 961 Indian reserves classified as CSDs (including the 6 reserves added for 2011). Statistics Canada works closely with AANDC to identify those reserves to be added as CSDs.
2. Indian settlement (S-É) - A place where a self-contained group of at least 10 Indian (First Nations) persons resides more or less permanently. It is usually located on Crown lands under federal or provincial/territorial jurisdiction. Indian settlements have no official limits and have not been set apart for the use and benefit of an Indian band as is the case with Indian reserves. Statistics Canada relies on AANDC to identify Indian settlements to be recognized as census subdivisions, and their inclusion must be with the agreement of the provincial or territorial authorities. An arbitrary boundary is delineated to represent each Indian settlement as a census subdivision. (Exclusions: Champagne Landing 10, Klukshu, Two and One-Half Mile Village, Two Mile Village and Kloo Lake which have CSD type S-É are excluded from this tabulation.)
3. Indian government district (IGD) - Sechelt reserve lands in British Columbia. The Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act is a transfer by Her Majesty in right of Canada to the Sechelt Band in all Sechelt reserve lands, recognizing that the Sechelt Band would assume complete responsibility for the management, administration and control of all Sechelt lands. The Sechelt Indian Government District Enabling Act (British Columbia) recognizes the district Council as the governing body of the Sechelt Indian Government District. The district Council may enact laws or by-laws that a municipality has power to enact under an Act of the province.
4. Terres réservées aux Cris (TC) - Parcels of land in Quebec set aside for the permanent residence of Cree First Nations of Quebec. Terres réservées aux Cris are adjacent to villages cris. The area of a village cri is set aside for the use of Cree bands, but members of Cree bands are not permanently residing there. Note that a village cri and its adjacent terre réservée aux Cris can have the same name, e.g., the village cri of Waswanipi and the terre reservée aux Cris of Waswanipi.
5. Terres réservées aux Naskapis (TK) - Parcels of land in Quebec set aside for the permanent residence of Naskapi First Nations of Quebec. Terres réservées aux Naskapis are adjacent to village Naskapi. The lone area of village Naskapi is set aside for the use of the Naskapi band, although its members do not reside there permanently.
6. Nisga'a land (NL) - Part of the territory whose title has been transferred to the Nisga'a Nation by the Final Land Claims Agreement of 1998 between the Nisga'a Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia. Together with the four Nisga'a villages (NVL), this territory makes up the Nisga'a Lands defined by the land claims agreement.

Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011, there were a total of 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated' in the NHS. For these reserves or settlements, NHS enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario). For additional information, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.


For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.

Not applicable

'Membership in a First Nation or Indian band' refers to whether a person reported membership in a First Nation or Indian band in Question 21. An Indian band is defined as a body of Indians for whose collective use and benefit lands have been set apart or money is held by the Crown, or who have been declared to be a band for
the purpose of the Indian Act. Many Indian bands have elected to call themselves a First Nation and have changed their band name to reflect this. With the 1985 amendment to the Indian Act of Canada (Bill C-31), many Indian bands exercised the right to establish their own membership code, whereby it was not always necessary for a band member to be a Registered Indian according to the Indian Act.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population private households

Question no.: Direct variable: Question 21

Responses: Respondents could reply 'Yes, member of a First Nation/Indian band' or 'No' by checking-off the appropriate mark-in circle in Question 21. If a respondent replied 'Yes, member of a First Nation/Indian band,' they were asked to specify the name of their First Nation or Indian Band.

The resulting standard classification is:

• Member of a First Nation or Indian band
• Not a member of a First Nation or Indian band.

Selected groupings of Indian bands may be made available either in published tables or upon special request, subject to confidentiality and data quality constraints.

Remarks: The 2011 NHS First Nations or Indian band question asked 'Is this person a member of a First Nation/Indian Band?' and the following notes were provided: If 'Yes,' which First Nation/Indian band? For example, Musqueam Indian Band, Sturgeon Lake First Nation, Atikamekw of Manawan.

As well, additional instructions were provided to respondents in the 2011 National Household Survey Guide:

• A First Nation/Indian band is a group of people for whom lands have been set apart and/or money is held by the Crown.
• A member of a First Nation/Indian band is an individual who is recognized as being a member of a First Nation/Indian band, as defined by either the band itself or the Indian Act.
• Individuals should report their First Nation/Indian band affiliation rather than their tribal affiliation-for example, 'Chemawawin First Nation Band' instead of 'Cree.'

Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011, there were a total of 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated' in the NHS. For these reserves or settlements, NHS enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario). For additional information, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.

Not applicable

'Registered or Treaty Indian status' refers to whether or not a person reported being a Registered or Treaty Indian in Question 20. Registered Indians are persons who are registered under the Indian Act of Canada. Treaty Indians are persons who belong to a First Nation or Indian band that signed a treaty with the Crown. Registered or Treaty Indians are sometimes also called Status Indians.

Reported in: 2011

Reported for: Population private households

Question no.: Direct variable: Question 20

Responses: Respondents could reply 'No' or 'Yes, Status Indian (Registered or Treaty)' by checking off the appropriate mark-in circle in Question 20.

The resulting standard classification is:

• Registered or Treaty Indian
• Not a Registered or Treaty Indian.

Remarks: The 2011 NHS Registered or Treaty Indian status question asked: 'Is this person a Status Indian (Registered or Treaty Indian as defined by the Indian Act of Canada)?'

As well, additional instructions were provided to respondents in the 2011 National Household Survey Guide:

Select the circle 'Yes, Status Indian (Registered or Treaty)' for persons who:

• are Registered Indians under the Indian Act
• are Treaty Indians, only if they are Registered Indians under the Indian Act
• have become registered since June 1985, when Bill C-31 changed the Indian Act.

All other persons should mark 'No' including persons who may be entitled to register under provisions of the Indian Act, but for some reason have not.

Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the National Household Survey (NHS). In 2011, there were a total of 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated' in the NHS. For these reserves or settlements, NHS enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario). For additional information, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of Aboriginal data, please refer to the Aboriginal Peoples Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011 and the Aboriginal Peoples Technical Report, National Household Survey, 2011.