Demographics

Reminder: Statistical information is only as good as the questions asked. Most questions are not designed or asked by Indigenous populations of themselves; rather, the questions are often asked by the federal government of Canada. The results also rely heavily on self-identification and self-reporting, which can be problematic given the complex nature of Indigenous Membership and Citizenship. Consequently, some individuals may claim (or not claim) identities to which they are either entitled (or not). First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Nations are the authorities on determining who is individually entitled to claim Membership or Citizenship within their own Nation. Nevertheless, Canadian statistics do provide some useful insights into population trends.

In 2016, there were more than 1.67 million Indigenous people in Canada, representing 4.9 per cent of  the total population, up from 3.8 per cent in 2006.

Canadian and Indigenous Peoples population, 2016 Census¹

In 2016, there were more than 1.67 million Indigenous people in Canada, representing 4.9 per cent of  the total population, up from 3.8 per cent in 2006.

In 2016, almost 900,000 Indigenous people lived in urban areas with a population of 30,000 or more,  accounting for more than half (51.8 percent) of Indigenous people in Canada.

Where Indigenous Peoples in Canada Live

The largest First Nations population is in Ontario (236,680), followed by British Columbia (172,520)  and Alberta (136,585).

According to the 2011 Census, First Nations people living in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta  accounted for less than 4 percent of the total provincial populations. However, First Nations people  accounted for 32.7 percent of the total population of the Northwest Territories, 19.8 percent of the total  population of Yukon, and about 10 percent of the population of Manitoba and that of Saskatchewan. In  Nunavut, First Nations people account for 0.34 per cent of the population.

In Quebec, nearly three-quarters (72.0 per cent) of First Nations people with registered Indian status  lived on reserve, the highest proportion among the provinces. This was followed by New Brunswick  (68.8 percent) and Nova Scotia (68.0) per cent). In Ontario, 37.0 per cent of First Nations people  with registered Indian status lived on a reserve, the second lowest proportion among the provinces after  Newfoundland and Labrador (35.1 per cent).

Métis people live in every province and territory in the country, but in 2016 the majority lived in  Ontario (120,585) and the western provinces (351,020). But the Métis population is growing fastest in  Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

The majority of Inuit live in Nunavut (30,135), followed by Nunavik (11,800), Inuvialuit (3,110),  and Nunatsiavut (2,285). Another 17,690 Inuit live outside of Inuit Nunangat, many in urban centres  in southern Canada, including Ottawa, Edmonton, and Montreal. Ottawa-Gatineau had the largest Inuit  population.

Where Urban Indigenous peoples live

In 2016, Winnipeg had the largest Urban Indigenous population, followed by Edmonton and Vancouver.  But Indigenous people account for a much larger proportion (around 35 percent in the 2006 Census) of  the population of several smaller cities in the western provinces, including Prince Rupert, Prince Albert,  and Thompson.

Notes