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Products and services > Downloadable Publications > 75F0010XIE

Labour market and income data guide
December 2000
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Aboriginal Peoples Survey

Description: collects data on Aboriginal persons (North American Indian, Métis and Inuit) living both on and off Indian reserves and settlements in Canada; it was designed to provide a wide range of information on their lifestyles and living conditions, including such information as housing conditions, health, social issues, income and expenses, employment history, schooling, disability, mobility, and the use of Aboriginal language(s)

Who/what was surveyed: The Census of Population was used as the sampling frame for this survey. Individuals who indicated on question 15 of their census questionnaire that they had Aboriginal ancestry and/or indicated on question 16 that they were registered under the Indian Act of Canada were identified as the target population. A selected sample of the target population then participated in the survey. Respondents were asked whether they identify with an Aboriginal group; that is, do they consider themselves to be North American Indian, Métis or Inuit.

How the data were collected: a sample of 135,000 persons (92,000 on reserve and 43,000 off reserve) participated in the 1991 Aboriginal Peoples Survey. Data for the adult questionnaire were collected through personal interviews with selected persons. Data for the children’s questionnaire (for those under 15 years) were obtained from a parent or guardian; however, some children 12 or older could respond for themselves. The data were collected approximately six months after Census day.

Geographic detail: Canada, provinces, territories, 11 census metropolitan areas, Indian reserves and settlements with a minimum APS population of 40 persons, selected Aboriginal communities with a minimum APS population of 40 persons, an aggregate of all other rural areas for a province, an aggregate of all other urban areas for a province.

Demographic detail: age, sex, marital status, household relationship, mother tongue, language spoken at home, knowledge of official languages, place of birth, citizenship and period or year of immigration

Information collected:

  1. selected census variables
  2. Aboriginal groups
  3. on reserves and settlements/off reserves and settlements
  4. level of schooling
  5. employment and training history
  6. nature and type of business ownership
  7. expenditures and sources of income
  8. housing conditions
  9. ability to speak, read or write an Aboriginal language
  10. availability of services in an Aboriginal language
  11. participation in traditional activities
  12. nutrition and health condition
  13. social issues facing Aboriginal communities
  14. mobility patterns
  15. nature and severity of disability

Frequency: Quinquennial, if funding available

Sample size: 135,000 individuals

Data availability: 1991

Reference period: Varies according to information collected

Release dates: staged release of data starting 18 months after collection

Response rates:
on-reserve population – 79%;
off-reserve population – 78%.

What makes the data valuable: Data can assist communities, organizations and government departments to:

a) plan economic development strategies
b) support Aboriginal businesses
c) identify business opportunities
d) identify barriers to Aboriginal employment
e) help develop needed training programs
f) help determine gaps and priorities in Aboriginal health and social services, facilities and programs
g) plan school curricula and adult training courses
h) improve services and facilities at home, work and school for persons with disabilities
i) assess the demand for programs and services in Aboriginal languages
j) determine the extent of participation in traditional activities and barriers to participation
k) assess perceived health conditions and social issues in the community
l) determine the demand for housing and related services

Products and services:

  1. User’s Guide to 1991 Aboriginal Data (Catalogue no. 89F0028GPE) (free of charge)
  2. Age and Sex—Aboriginal Data (Catalogue no. 94-327-XPB)
  3. Language, Tradition, Health, Lifestyle and Social Issues (Catalogue no. 89-533-XPB)
  4. Schooling, Work and Related Activities, Income, Expenses and Mobility (Catalogue no. 89-534-XPB)
  5. Disability 2—Housing (Catalogue no. 89-535-XPB)

Community profiles:

  1. A statistical profile of approximately 600 Aboriginal communities with a population of 40 or more who participated in the APS.
  2. A diskette version of the community profiles, using C-91 software
  3. A Profile of The Métis (Catalogue no. 89-547-XPE)
  4. Health Profile of Aboriginal Children (under 15 years of age): Canada, Provinces and Territories (Catalogue no. 89-535-SPE)
  5. Microdata file for Aboriginal adults living on and off Indian reserves and settlements, and selected Aboriginal communities

Responsible program: The Post-Censal Surveys Program


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Date Modified: 2003-11-07 Important Notices