References and Links

The Atlas maps are composed of several layers of which there are two broad categories: thematic and base layers. Find below a description of each of the map layers. The layer source is included in the metadata.

Thematic Map Layers

Index of Aboriginal Language Ability (1996)

The Index of Ability (Kn/MT) compares the number of people who report being able to speak the language (Kn) with the number who have that Aboriginal language as a mother tongue (MT). Relatively higher values of this index may suggest some degree of language revival.

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Major Language Families

The Aboriginal languages of Canada belong to eleven major language families. Most families consist of separate but related member languages, and each member language may include several dialects.

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Base Map Layers

Atlas of Canada Framework Layers

Base map components are features that provide a geographic context for the thematic data shown on Atlas of Canada maps. These features include rivers, lakes, administrative boundaries, populated places, roads and rail lines. All of the Atlas of Canada base map components are available for immediate free download in five scales and in a number of data exchange formats. The 1:7 500 000 and the 1:1 000 000 scale data are the primary base frameworks used for all Atlas of Canada 6th Edition online maps. You can download Atlas of Canada data from this Web page on GeoGratis.

Canada. 1996. Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Vol. 3: Gathering Strength. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.

Harrison, B. 1997. Language Integration Results of an Intergenerational Analysis. Statistical Journal of the United Nations. ECE. 14: 289-303.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. 1990. Indians and Inuit of Canada. Ottawa: Minister of Supply and Services Canada.

Kinkade, M. Dale. 1991. The Decline of Native Languages in Canada. In: Endangered Languages. R.H. Robins and E.M. Uhlenbeck (eds). Berg Publishers.

Norris, Mary Jane. 1998. Canada's Aboriginal Languages. Canadian Social Trends. Winter, pp. 9-16. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.

UNESCO. Wurm, Stephen A. (ed.). 1996. Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger of Disappearing. Paris: Unesco Publishing.