Statistics Canada Data Collection on Inuit: The Importance of Consultation and Context

• Published in: aboriginal policy studies
• Main Author: Marika Morris
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; French
• Published: University of Alberta 2016
• Subjects: inuit; statistics; demography; cities; indigenous; Anthropology; GN1-890; Communities. Classes. Races; HT51-1595; Canada
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5663/aps.v5i2.25452; https://doaj.org/article/fa39d9cca654490295bb1f35f1ac991a

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission underlined the importance of knowing the history and context of Indigenous peoples in Canada, and how today’s institutions continue to be shaped by this legacy with detrimental effects. This article applies that lens to Statistics Canada data collection and reporting on Indigenous groups, particularly Inuit. Statistics Canada has already made strides in terms of consultations with national Indigenous organizations, but improvements can be made in more accurately capturing and describing Indigenous populations. These include: reviewing the definition of Métis, developing methods to include reserves and institutions (“collective dwellings”) fully, outreach strategies and methodologies to include transient and homeless persons, and providing both past and present contextual information to understand better the data and to avoid inadvertently contributing to stereotypes.