Census learning centre
Collection of data on Indigenous peoples

Release date: October 26, 2022

Catalogue number: 982000032021019

Hello and welcome to the "Collection of data on Indigenous peoples" video.

This video identifies the census questionnaires and questions that help provide a portrait of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It also explains why data on the Indigenous peoples is collected and its use and importance to Indigenous governments, organizations and service providers.

Subject
Indigenous
Length
00:05:37
Cost
Free
Links

Watch the video

Concept video: Collection of data on Indigenous peoples - Transcription

(The Statistics Canada symbol and "Canada" wordmark appear on screen with the title: "Concept video: Collection of data on Indigenous peoples".)

Welcome to the “Collection of data on Indigenous peoples” video.

This video is designed to provide a basic understanding of how and what data are collected for the Indigenous population.

At the end of this video you will be able to:

  • Understand why we collect data on Indigenous peoples
  • Identify the questionnaires used to collect data on Indigenous peoples and
  • Identify the population that must answer the questions related to Indigenous concepts.

Why do we collect data on Indigenous peoples?

Data on Indigenous peoples are used by federal, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous governments, organizations and communities, researchers and the general public. These data are used to determine the size and distribution of the Indigenous population across Canada and to learn more about the characteristics of Indigenous peoples and communities.

These data also enable Indigenous governments, organizations and service providers to:

  • Develop language and school programs
  • Plan community health and social services
  • Make decisions about business and economic investments
  • Evaluate existing programs and
  • Address service needs, such as housing.

Now, let’s look at the 2021 Census questionnaires.

The data for Indigenous peoples are obtained from two Census questionnaires:

  • The long-form 2A-L questionnaire, which provides detailed demographic, social and economic information on people in Canada and
  • The long-form 2A-R questionnaire, which is similar to the 2A-L questionnaire but is used in First Nations communities, Métis settlements, Inuit regions and other remote areas.

(Images of the long-form 2A-L and 2A-R questionnaires appear on the screen.)

The data collected cover the following subjects:

  • Basic demographics
  • Families and households
  • Canadian military experience
  • Activities of daily living
  • Ethnic diversity and immigration
  • Language
  • Indigenous peoples
  • Religion
  • Mobility (one year and five years)
  • Education
  • Labour market activities
  • Place of work and commuting
  • Expenditures (child care, and child and spousal support)
  • Housing

Specific questions related to Indigenous peoples include questions on:

  • Indigenous group (Question 24)
  • Registered or Treaty Indian status (Question 26)
  • Membership in a First Nation or an Indian band (Question 27)
  • Membership in a Métis organization or Settlement (Question 28)
  • Enrollment under an Inuit land claims agreement (Question 29; the question also asks whether people are beneficiaries of an Inuit land claims agreement)
  • The ethnic or cultural origins of ancestors (Question 23).

(Images of questions 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 23 from the long-form 2A-R questionnaire appear on the screen.)

The 2A-R questionnaire is used for respondents living in First Nations communities, Métis settlements, Inuit regions and other remote areas. The questions asked on the 2A-R questionnaire are the same as on the 2A-L questionnaire, with a few exceptions:

  • Respondents living on a reserve are instructed to skip Question 21 (citizenship and immigration question).
  • (Images of questions 21 from the long-form 2A-R and 2A-L questionnaire appear on the screen.)

  • There is a new question in the housing section, as well as specific examples geared to the Indigenous population.
  • (Images of questions E1 from the long-form 2A-R and 2A-L questionnaire and E10 from the long-form 2A-R questionnaire appear on the screen.)

  • More First Nations examples are included in the ethnic or cultural origins question; other questions include examples of industries and occupations more commonly found in First Nations communities, Métis settlements, Inuit regions and other remote areas.
  • (Images of questions 23, 45, 46 from the long-form 2A-R and 2A-L questionnaire appear on the screen.)

  • Examples for the education questions on the 2A-R questionnaire are also geared to the Indigenous population living in these areas.
  • (Images of question 35 from the long-form 2A-R and 2A-L questionnaire appear on the screen.)

On both questionnaires, questions 24, 26, 27, 28 and 29 are identical.

(Images of question 24, 26, 27, 28 and 29 from the long-form 2A-R questionnaire appear on the screen.)

In First Nations communities, Métis settlements, Inuit regions and other remote areas, 100% of households received the 2A-R questionnaire. In contrast, the sampling fraction for the 2A-L questionnaire was roughly one in four households, or 25% of households.

In order to improve accessibility, respondents had the option to complete the questionnaire online or request a paper format. Telephone assistance was available to respondents in multiple languages and for respondents with disabilities.

(The words "Thank you for watching the “Collection of data on Indigenous peoples” video" appear on screen.)

This concludes the “Collection of data on Indigenous peoples” video. Thank you for watching.

(The census logo appears with a link, which is also available to view here: Census of population.)

For more detailed information regarding concepts, variables, methodology, historical comparability and other elements, please refer to Statistics Canada's census web pages.

(The "Canada" wordmark appears. ISBN: 978-0-660-45127-5)

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