Appendix A  About the Aboriginal Peoples Survey

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The 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) provides an extensive set of data about Métis, Inuit, and off-reserve First Nations adults 15 years and over and children 6 to 14, living in urban, rural, and northern locations across Canada. The Aboriginal Peoples Survey was designed to provide a picture of the lifestyles and living conditions of Métis, Inuit, and First Nations peoples in Canada.

The survey was developed by Statistics Canada in partnership with the following national Aboriginal organizations: Congress of Aboriginal Peoples; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Métis National Council; National Association of Friendship Centres; and the Native Women's Association of Canada. The following federal departments sponsored the 2006 APS: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Canadian Heritage.

The Aboriginal Peoples Survey is a post-censal survey, that is, a sample of about 60,000 people was selected from adults 15 years and over and children aged 6 to 14 living in private households whose response on their 2006 Census questionnaire indicated that they:

  • had Aboriginal origins and / or
  • identified as North American Indian, Métis and / or Inuit, and / or
  • had treaty or registered Indian status and / or
  • had Indian Band membership.

Aboriginal people living in Indian settlements and reserves in the 10 provinces were not included in the 2006 APS data collection. In the three territories, all First Nations people were included in the APS target population. Discussions are underway with stakeholders to determine how best to collect data with First Nations communities. Further discussions need to take place with federal partners and First Nations leadership.

The Aboriginal Peoples Survey was conducted between October 2006 and March 2007. Personal interviews were conducted in Inuit communities, the Northwest Territories (except for Yellowknife) and in other remote areas, while telephone interviews were conducted elsewhere. The overall response rate for the APS was 80.1%.

More detailed information about the survey is available in the Aboriginal Peoples Survey Concepts and Methods Guide (catalogue number 89-637-X).