Finding the data:
Indigenous peoples

Jeremy Buhler, Data Librarian, UBC Library
jeremy.buhler@ubc.ca
April 28, 2021

  • Find data and reports from Statistics Canada
  • Understand limitations of Statistics Canada data
  • Access public use microdata files (PUMFs)

Some reasons to use Statistics Canada

  • National coverage (Census and surveys)
  • Purpose, method, and data well documented
  • Coverage for many topics
  • Public Use Microdata Files (PUMFs) often available

Access to data

https://statcan.gc.ca
https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/subjects-start/indigenous_peoples
  • before 1986: Native Indian
  • 1986-2016: Aboriginal
  • 2021: Indigenous

Census Program

A statistical portrait of the country every 5 years

Changes in the 2021 Census

  • Indigenous replaces Aboriginal
  • New questions
    • Métis organization or Settlement
    • Inuit land claims agreement


See https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/98-20-0001/982000012020003-eng.cfm for more information

Importance of documentation

Census web pages and PUMF user guides alert researchers to potential gaps and limitations

"Users should be aware that the estimates associated with this variable are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements in the Census of population"

From 2016 Census Public Use Microdata File (PUMF): Documentation and user guide (downloaded from https://hdl.handle.net/11272.1/AB2/GDJRT8)

Excerpt of table from https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ref/98-304/app-ann1-2-eng.cfm

Indigenous Services Canada

  • Community Well-Being Index
  • Surveys on Indigenous peoples


https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1100100016570/1604594851787 for more information

Public Use Microdata Files (PUMFs)

Public data modified to protect respondent privacy

  • Some variables suppressed
  • Some variables aggregated
  • May only be a sample of responses

Access to microdata