Aboriginal Peoples Survey 2001 — Initial findings: Well-being of the non-reserve Aboriginal population

This report presents the initial findings of the 2001 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) and focuses on the well-being of the Aboriginal identity population living in non-reserve areas across Canada. The concept of well-being is a complex one with physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. While it is difficult to completely measure well-being using quantitative methods, APS findings can contribute to an understanding of the experiences and living conditions of Aboriginal people in Canada. The article focuses on the health and schooling of the non-reserve Aboriginal population, in addition to providing information on housing, water quality and Aboriginal languages.

For more detailed statistical tables on some of these topics, including information for North American Indian people, the Métis and Inuit by province and territory, please see Catalogue no. 89-592-XIE. Information on key survey concepts and methods used in the survey can be found in Catalogue no. 89-591-XIE.

This is the second time the Aboriginal Peoples Survey has been carried out; the first time was in the fall of 1991. The 2001 APS was designed and implemented by Statistics Canada in partnership with national Aboriginal organizations. The primary objective of the survey was to provide data on the social and economic conditions of Aboriginal people in Canada.

Interviews were conducted in the fall of 2001 through the spring of 2002 and over 117,000 people, including both adults and children, were targeted for the survey. The population covered consisted of Aboriginal people, in both reserve and non-reserve areas, residing in private households in all provinces and territories.