Charting the growth of Canada's Aboriginal populations: problems, options and implications

Authors

  • Eric Guimond Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Ottawa Ontario
  • Don Kerr University of Western Ontario, London Ontario
  • Roderic Beaujot University of Western Ontario, London Ontario

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25336/P6R88M

Abstract

Toward the end of the 20th century, the number of persons reporting Aboriginal ancestry in the Canadian Census increased in a rather dramatic manner. For example, in the 2001 Canadian Census, over 1.3 million Canadians reported an Aboriginal origin, which is an increase of about 20 percent over the previous census in 1996. Given that much confusion and inadequate information characterises public discussions of the demographics of Canada’s Aboriginal population, this paper will review the most fundamental data sources and definitions that have been used in documenting the characteristics of this population, as well as outline some of the most important obstacles to be faced in enacting meaningful quantitative research in this context.

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Published

2004-12-31

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Section

Articles