2006 Census: Educational Portrait of Canada, 2006 Census: Aboriginal population

Defining the Aboriginal population

There are various ways to define the Aboriginal population based on the four related questions asked in the census (ethnic origin, including Aboriginal ancestors; Aboriginal identity; member of an Indian Band/First Nation; and Registered or Treaty Indian) depending on the focus and the requirements of the data user.

For the purposes of this report, two concepts are used: Aboriginal identity and Registered or Treaty Indian (See Definitions).

The education characteristics of the overall Aboriginal population are described using the Aboriginal identity concept. Separate data are presented for each of the three Aboriginal identity groups: Inuit, Métis and First Nations people. Data are also presented for the First Nations identity population living on and off reserve.

This report also presents education data for the Registered Indian population living on and off reserve (regardless of their Aboriginal identity).

For more information, see How Statistics Canada Identifies Aboriginal Peoples.

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