Aboriginal group

Part A - Short definition:

Not applicable

Part B - Detailed definition:

'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 number(s):

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.