Appendix 2: Frequently asked questions

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What is the Aboriginal Children's Survey?
This survey is a national survey of First Nations children living off reserve, Métis children and Inuit children under the age of 6 years living in urban, rural and northern locations throughout Canada. There is currently little data available about the health and development of Aboriginal children under 6 years of age. The Aboriginal Children's Survey (ACS) is designed to address this data gap and provide information on the motor, social and cognitive development of young Aboriginal children.

What data will be produced?
The Aboriginal Children's Survey collects information about First Nations children living off reserve, Métis children and Inuit children for the age groups 0-1 years, 2-3 years and 4-5 years. The survey provides valuable data on issues specific to Aboriginal children's development and well-being.

Data covers the following themes:

• Family and Community (Nurturing, Child care arrangements, Parent's perception of community);
• Early Learning (Developmental milestones, Learning and activities, Strengths and difficulties);
• Healthy Living (Health status, Access to health care, Food and nutrition, Sleep, Healthy environment);
• Languages.

Why are these data important?
Survey data can be used by Aboriginal organizations, community planners, service providers, parents, governments and researchers to:

• Honour and acknowledge Aboriginal children (needs; values and cultural heritage)
• Inform decision-making (program and policy planning and development)
• Support academic research (educators and researchers)

How were Aboriginal people involved in the survey process?
Aboriginal people have been involved in all aspects of the survey. For example:

• Aboriginal advisors have been involved in developing the content of the questionnaire and defining survey procedures.
• Parents and guardians of children participated in discussions on the survey questions.
• National Aboriginal organizations have been involved in the promotion of the survey.
• Throughout the ACS, Aboriginal people were encouraged to participate in data collection activities and other survey operations.
• Aboriginal children provided artwork that was used in the promotional materials for the survey.

Where was the survey conducted?
Information has been collected about First Nations children living off reserve, Métis children and Inuit children living in urban, rural and northern locations throughout Canada.

The survey was conducted from October 2006 until March 2007.

Did you conduct the Aboriginal Children's Survey on reserves?
Statistics Canada recognizes the importance of collecting quality and representative data on First Nations children living on reserve. However, a mutually agreed-upon process with First Nations communities must first be in place, as it is essential to achieving good participation. Statistics Canada will work with its federal partners and First Nations leadership to explore the possibilities of conducting surveys on-reserve in the future.

Are the data confidential?
Yes. Statistics Canada follows strict rules to ensure the confidentiality of information.

Under the Statistics Act, employees must take an oath of secrecy. Only employees who need to work with the data files have access to them. When survey data are released, individual answers are combined with those of other participants. No information is ever released that could identify an individual.

What is STC doing to improve the coverage of the Aboriginal population?
Statistics Canada continues to work with Aboriginal organizations and communities to determine their data needs and has signed agreements with Aboriginal organizations in some provinces and territories for cooperation and support in carrying out the census. Discussions are ongoing in other Statistics Canada program areas to support a variety of surveys.

An important resource for Statistics Canada to improve its coverage of the Aboriginal population is the work of its Aboriginal Communications and Liaison Officers (ACLOs). Aboriginal peoples and communities in each province have an ACLO available to keep them informed on Statistics Canada information activities and help them find and better understand the data that is available for their community.

How is the diversity of Aboriginal people dealt with in the survey?
Where data permits, Statistics Canada will produce separate estimates for First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit.

Content of the Aboriginal Children's Survey was developed with the Technical Advisory Group, consisting of people from across Canada knowledgeable about First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures. As such, the questions were designed to be relevant and to address issues of importance to First Nations, Métis and Inuit children.

Where can I find out more information about the Aboriginal Children's Survey?
For more information about the Aboriginal Children's Survey, please contact Statistics Canada by email at sasd-dssea@statcan.gc.ca or call 1 (800) 263-1136.