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NOTICE

The Aboriginal Canada Portal closed February 12, 2013. The Digital Aboriginals of True North Turtle Island have intervened. Please visit this web page for more information.

II. Background - Basic Facts

It's important to provide some context before entering into a discussion on the telecommunication infrastructure of Aboriginal communities. In 1998, the department of Indian and Northern Affairs reported that a total of 658,824 registered Indians were living both on and off reserve. By 2008, that number is projected to climb to 798,211; an increase of 21%. Today's Aboriginal population is young and active. In 1999, almost half of the registered Indian population was less than 25 years of age. For Canada as a whole, 33% of the population fell into this category.

a. Population

Figures on the Aboriginal population of Canada vary greatly depending on the specific question posed by Statistics Canada. The 2001 census population figures vary between 976,310 people that identify themselves as Aboriginal to over 1.3 million people who respond to having Aboriginal ancestry. Statistics Canada most frequently uses the Aboriginal identity number in calculations and as a result we have chosen do so within this report. The Aboriginal population represents approximately 3% of the total Canadian population and has been growing at an average annual rate of 4% since 1996.

i. Comparing Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Populations

Group	Population, 1996	Population, 2001	Percentage of Total Canadian Population, 2001	1996-2001 Annual Growth Rate
Total Aboriginal identity Population	799,005	976,310	3%	4.09%
Total Non-Aboriginal population	27,729,115	28,662,725	97%	0.66%
TOTAL	28,528,120	29,639,035	100%	0.77%

Statistics Canada - Cat. No. 97F0011XCB01001 & 93F0025XDB96002

ii. Aboriginal Population by Aboriginal Identity

Group	1996 Population	2001 Population	Percentage of Total Aboriginal Population, 2001	1996-2001 Annual Growth Rate
First Nation single response	529,040	608,845	62%	2.85%
Inuit single response	40,220	45,075	5%	2.31%
Métis single response	204,115	292,310	30%	7.45%
Multiple Aboriginal responses	6,415	6,665	1%	0.77%
Aboriginal responses not included elsewhere	19,215	23,415	2%	4.03%
TOTAL	799,005	976,310	100%	4.09%

Statistics Canada - Cat. No. 97F0011XCB01001 & 93F0025XDB96002

iii. Geographic Distribution of Aboriginal Population

Province/Territory	Aboriginal Population, 1996	Aboriginal Population, 2001	Percentage of Total Aboriginal Population, 2001	1996-2001 Annual Growth Rate
Alberta	122,840	156,220	16.00%	4.93%
British Columbia	139,655	170,025	17.42%	4.01%
Manitoba	128,685	150,040	15.37%	3.12%
New Brunswick	10,250	16,990	1.74%	10.64%
Newfoundland	14,205	18,780	1.92%	5.74%
Nova Scotia	12,380	17,015	1.74%	6.57%
Northwest Territories	18,995	18,725	1.92%	-0.29%
Nunavut	20,690	22,720	2.33%	1.89%
Ontario	141,525	188,320	19.29%	5.88%
Prince Edward Island	950	1,345	0.14%	7.20%
Quebec	71,415	79,400	8.13%	2.14%
Saskatchewan	111,240	130,190	13.33%	3.20%
Yukon	6,175	6,540	0.67%	1.16%
TOTAL	799,005	976,310	100%	4.09%

Statistics Canada - Cat. No. 97F0011XIE2001007 & 93F0025XDB96002

iv. Regional Distribution of Aboriginal Population by Aboriginal Identity (Single Responses)

Province/Territory	Aboriginal Population, 2001			Total
Province/Territory	First Nations	Inuit	Métis	Total
Alberta	84,990	1,090	66,060	152,140
British Columbia	118,290	800	44,270	163,360
Manitoba	90,340	345	56,800	147,485
New Brunswick	11,490	160	4,290	15,940
Newfoundland	7,035	4,560	5,480	17,075
Nova Scotia	12,920	350	3,135	16,405
Northwest Territories	10,615	3,910	3,580	18,105
Nunavut	100	22,560	50	22,710
Ontario	131,560	1,375	48,340	181,275
Prince Edward Island	1,035	15	220	1,270
Quebec	51,125	9,535	15,855	76,515
Saskatchewan	83,745	235	43,695	127,675
Yukon	5,600	140	535	6,275
Canada	608,845	45,075	292,310	946,230

Statistics Canada - Cat. No. 97F0011XCB01002