Close search bar

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Population

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Population, Proportion of Total Population (Percentage)

High values indicate a large proportion of persons who self-identify with at least one Indigenous group.  

Data updated:
Data availability: (calendar years)
Geographic coverage
All provinces/territories
Reporting level
Province/Territory, Region
Calculation

The proportion of self-identified Indigenous residents, expressed as a percentage of the total population   

Denominator

Total population 

Numerator

Number of individuals who identify with at least one Indigenous group 

Download CSV Expand/collapse all All accordions expanded

Name

First Nations, Inuit and Métis Population

Description

Statistics Canada defines Indigenous identity based on whether the person identified with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. This includes those who are First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who are registered or treaty Indians (i.e., registered under the Indian Act of Canada) and/or those who have membership in a First Nation or Indian band.

Rationale

There are promising signs that health is improving for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, but significant health inequalities remain; these include, for instance, higher rates of chronic disease and poorer survival compared with the general population. These inequalities relate to socio-economic, environmental and political inequities resulting from colonialism and ongoing racism. Initiatives that recognize the self-determination of Indigenous communities and individuals and that promote cultural continuity have been associated with positive health and wellness outcomes.  

Indigenous self-determination requires that data collection, storage, analysis and reporting is undertaken in collaboration with Indigenous authorities. Therefore, understanding the proportion of the population who identify as Indigenous is important for contextualizing and improving indicator results in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. 

Interpretation

High values indicate a large proportion of persons who self-identify with at least one Indigenous group.  

Available Data Years

(calendar years)

Geographic Coverage

  • All provinces/territories

Reporting Level/Disaggregation

  • Province/Territory
  • Region

Indicator Results

Web Tool:
Your Health System: In Depth 

URL:
Accessing Indicator Results on Your Health System: In Depth (PDF)

Update Frequency

Every 5 years

Latest Results Update Date

Description

The proportion of self-identified Indigenous residents, expressed as a percentage of the total population   

Type of Measurement

Percentage or proportion

Denominator

Description:

Total population 

Numerator

Description:

Number of individuals who identify with at least one Indigenous group 

Method of Adjustment

All counts in census tabulations are subjected to a process called random rounding. Random rounding transforms all raw counts to random rounded counts. This reduces the possibility of identifying individuals within the tabulations. 

Geographic Assignment

Place of residence

Data Sources

Statistics Canada. Table 17-10-0123-01: Census indicator profile, based on the 2016 Census long-form questionnaire, Canada, provinces and territories, and health regions (2017 boundaries). 

Caveats and Limitations

Statistics Canada sources Indigenous Population from the 2016 Census of Population, based on the long-form questionnaire (25% sample). Questions on the long-form questionnaire are asked to the population in private households, which is the total population excluding persons living outside Canada and excluding persons living in collective dwellings. Collective dwellings are classified as either institutional (e.g., hospitals, nursing homes, penitentiaries) or non-institutional (e.g., work camps, hotels and motels, student residences).  

Comments

The health regions presented in this table are based on boundaries and names in effect as of 2017. For complete Canadian coverage, each northern territory represents a health region. 

References

Waldram JB, Herring DA, Young TK. Aboriginal Health in Canada: Historical, Cultural and Epidemiological Perspectives (Second Edition). 2006.  

Withrow DR, Pole JD, Nishri ED, Tjepkema M, Marrett LD. Cancer survival disparities between First Nation and non-Aboriginal adults in Canada: Follow-up of the 1991 Census mortality cohort. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. 2017.  

Reading C. Structural determinants of Aboriginal peoples’ health. In: Greenwood M, de Leeuw S, Lindsay NM, Reading C, eds. Determinants of Indigenous Peoples’ Health in Canada: Beyond the Social. 2015.  

Auger MD. Cultural continuity as a determinant of Indigenous peoples’ health: A metasynthesis of qualitative research in Canada and the United States. The International Indigenous Policy Journal. 2016. 

How to cite:

Canadian Institute for Health Information. First Nations, Inuit and Métis Population. Accessed April 25, 2025.