Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population
Okanagan-Similkameen, Regional district
7.6%
In 2021, there were 6,640 Indigenous people in Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district), making up 7.6% of the population.
54.3%
The majority of the Indigenous population reported a single Indigenous identity—either First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit). Of the Indigenous population in Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district), 54.3% (3,605) were First Nations people, 42.0% (2,790) were Métis, and 0.4% (25) were Inuit.
65.9%
Within the First Nations population, 65.9% (2,370) had Registered or Treaty Indian status, as defined under the Indian Act. The other 34.1% (1,230) of the First Nations population did not have Registered or Treaty Indian status.
120
In addition to those who reported a single Indigenous identity, 120 people reported more than one Indigenous identity and 100 were defined as having an Indigenous identity that was not included elsewhere.
Total population by Indigenous identity and Registered or Treaty Indian status, Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district), 2021
| Indigenous identity | Number | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total – Population by Indigenous identity | 87,665 | 100.0 |
| Indigenous identity | 6,640 | 7.6 |
| Single Indigenous responses | 6,420 | 7.3 |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 3,605 | 4.1 |
| First Nations (Registered or Treaty Indian) | 2,370 | 2.7 |
| First Nations (not a Registered or Treaty Indian) | 1,230 | 1.4 |
| Métis | 2,790 | 3.2 |
| Inuk (Inuit) | 25 | 0.0 |
| Multiple Indigenous responses | 120 | 0.1 |
| Indigenous responses not included elsewhere | 100 | 0.1 |
| Non-Indigenous identity | 81,025 | 92.4 |
Younger
In general, the Indigenous population in Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district) is younger than the non-Indigenous population.
24.5%
Indigenous children aged 14 and under represented 24.5% of the total Indigenous population, while non-Indigenous children aged 14 and under accounted for 10.5% of the non-Indigenous population.
36.4
The average age of the Indigenous population in Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district) was 36.4 years, compared with 51 years for the non-Indigenous population.
35.3
The average age was 35.3 years for First Nations people; it was 38 years for Métis; and it was 31 years for Inuit.
Age distribution by Indigenous identity, Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district), 2021
Selected Indigenous language indicators for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district), 2021
Indigenous population as a proportion of the total population, Okanagan-Similkameen (Regional district) and higher-level geographies, 2021
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