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2006 Profile of Aboriginal Children, Youth and Adults: Census highlights - British Columbia

Aboriginal population showing population counts and percentage change (2001 to 2006), British Columbia
Aboriginal population1 2006 2001 % change
Download table7: CSV TAB
Sources: Statistics Canada, censuses of population, 2001 and 2006.
Aboriginal identity2 195,955 170,025 15.3
North American Indian Identity3,4 129,465 118,290 9.4
North American Indian Identity: Treaty or Registered Indian5 100,585 93,240 7.9
North American Indian Identity: Not a Treaty or Registered Indian 28,885 25,050 15.3
Métis Identity3 59,440 44,265 34.3
Inuit Identity3 795 805 - 1.2
Aboriginal Ancestry6 250,785 216,110 16.0
North American Indian Ancestry3 80,860 78,685 2.8
Métis Ancestry3 9,650 8,305 16.2
Inuit Ancestry3 340 365 - 6.8
Treaty or Registered Indian5 110,435 103,545 6.7

Notes:

  1. The Aboriginal identity population was counted the same way in 2006 and 2001, providing comparable data for two census years. However, comparison of Aboriginal data across census years must adjust for incompletely enumerated reserves and settlements. Some Indian reserves and settlements did not participate in the census as enumeration was not permitted, or it was interrupted before completion. In 2006, there were 22 incompletely enumerated Indian reserves, compared to 30 in 2001. The counts and rates shown in this table may differ from those based on unadjusted data.
  2. Included in the Aboriginal identity population are those persons who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, North American Indian, Métis or Inuit, and/or those who reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian, as defined by the Indian Act of Canada, and/or those who reported they were members of an Indian band or First Nation.
  3. Data for North American Indian, Métis and Inuit identity and ancestry are based on single responses only.
  4. Users should be aware that the counts for this item are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements.
  5. Registered or Treaty Indian: The expression 'Registered Indian' refers to those persons who reported they were registered under the Indian Act of Canada. Treaty Indians are persons who are registered under the Indian Act and can prove descent from a band that signed a treaty.
  6. Refers to those persons who reported at least one Aboriginal ancestry (North American Indian, Métis or Inuit) to the ethnic origin question. 'Ethnic origin' refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of a person's ancestors. Additional Information on ethnic origin can be obtained from the 2006 Census Dictionary. 'Aboriginal ancestry' was referred to as 'Aboriginal origin' prior the 2006 Census. The content of the variable remains unchanged in 2006 compared with the previous censuses.
  7. To access the comma-separated values (CSV) or the tab-separated values (TAB) file, use the conversion features available in most spreadsheet software, or use a free-of-charge viewer.