Examining the Aboriginal and Indigenous Population of Canada: A Study

This assignment examines the socio-economic conditions of the Aboriginal and Indigenous population in Canada, utilizing statistical data from 2011 and later. It analyzes educational attainment, revealing lower rates of degree completion among Indigenous peoples compared to the mainstream population, attributing this to a desire to maintain distinct traditions. The assignment also addresses the over-representation of Aboriginal youth in correctional services, highlighting disparities in the justice system. Employment rates are discussed in relation to educational qualifications, with lower employment rates among Indigenous populations. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the alarmingly high suicide rates within First Nations and Inuit communities, linking these to limited access to education and employment, as well as a lack of integration into mainstream Canadian society. The document concludes by reflecting on the unexpected high incarceration rates and emphasizes the need for improved integration and support for Indigenous communities.

Running head: ABORIGINALS AND INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF CANADA
Aboriginals and Indigenous population of Canada
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ABORIGINALS AND INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF CANADA
1. a. According to the census conducted in the year 2011, around 48% of the Aboriginal people
of Canada had a diploma, certificate or degree from a university or college. Compared to that,
around 45% of the First nations People, 36% of the Inuit and 55% of the Metis had a degree
("Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for Canada", 2019). On the other hand, 65 % of the mainstream
people of Canada were educated.
b. The reason for such rates is that the Aboriginal people of Canada and the other communities
such as the Inuit, Metis and the First Nations People are too conscious about the maintenance of
their own distinct traditions. As a result, they do not want to interact much with the outside
world.
c. The data collected by Statistics Canada shows that the about 46% if the Aboriginal youth of
Canada were admitted to correctional services and were incarcerated in the year 2016-17
("Canada’s Indigenous population growing 4 times faster than rest of country", 2019). However,
when compared to the entire youth population of Canada which included the mainstream
population, they made up only 8% of the population ("Canada’s Indigenous population growing
4 times faster than rest of country", 2019).
d. According to me, the most compelling discrimination that can be noticed in Canada is that the
mainstream population has easy access to the justice system while the indigenous people do not.
They can commit the exact same crime, but different punishments will be awarded to them.
e. The main contribution to this scenario is that in the year 2006-07, around 21% of the
Aboriginal youths were sent to the correction facilities. A decade later, this number rose to 47%

2ABORIGINALS AND INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF CANADA
for the Aboriginal boys and 60% for the Aboriginal girls who were convicted to correctional
centers ("Canada’s Indigenous population growing 4 times faster than rest of country", 2019).
f. According to the statistics of 2011, the employment rate of the indigenous population rose in
sync with their educational qualifications. As a result, 37.3% of the First Nations, 52.6% of the
Metis and 44.9% of the Inuit found employment ("Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for Canada",
2019). However, when compared to the mainstream population, this was quite low.
g. One of the contributing factor for such numbers is the educational qualifications received.
Since the number of indigenous population is low, they could not get lucrative jobs. Another
reason is that the firms wanted to employ the mainstream population instead of indigenous
population.
h. Around one quarter of the adults of the First Nations contemplate committing suicides during
their life time. Compared to this around 9.1% of the general population of Canada think about
suicide, as revealed by the 2008-10 survey. The rate of suicide among the Inuit is high; around
27% of the deaths since 1999 have been suicides. The age group where suicide rates are the
highest is 15 to 24 years ("Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for Canada", 2019).
i. The rates of suicides is high among the indigenous people because of limited access to
education and employment opportunities make them frustrated. They feel depressed and as a
result, they want to take their lives.
j. The factor that contribute the most to such a solemn condition of the indigenous population is
that they are not well integrated in to the mainstream population of Canada. They want to stay
isolated and in order to respect their wishes, even the Government of Canada do not interfere
much in their lives.

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k. The information does correspond to my expectations of the indigenous population. The most
unexpected experience was that of incarceration rates of the indigenous population.

4ABORIGINALS AND INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF CANADA
References:
Aboriginal Peoples: Fact Sheet for Canada. (2019). Www150.statcan.gc.ca.
Canada’s Indigenous population growing 4 times faster than rest of country. (2019). Global
News.