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.