Resources
Statistics
Urban Indigenous identities are defined by urban Indigenous people – defining identity relies on ensuring opportunities exist for all Indigenous community members, regardless of status, geography, nation or community, to speak and be heard.
In the past, there have been attempts to define urban Indigenous people including: “away from home” or “off-reserve”: urban identities have been tied to living outside of the geographic reserve boundaries imposed on Nations and communities through the 1876 Indian Act and beyond.
As urban Indigenous identities continue to emerge in our province, the statistics also help to paint a picture in BC:
290,210 Indigenous people live in BC1
6% of the province’s total population
Most Indigenous people in BC live off reserve2
82% or 227,605 people
The Province of BC has legislation that ensures all Indigenous Peoples have a say in how new laws can align with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Yet, there are over 110,328 Indigenous people living in BC3 who have no formal way to have their voices heard by the Province.
While the First Nations Leadership Council represents 145,337 BC First Nations members4, and while 24,000 Métis people are registered through Métis Nation BC5, there are no formal structures in place for remaining First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in this province.
Section 3 of B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act6 requires that the Province consult and cooperate with all Indigenous Peoples living both on and off-reserve and “take all measures necessary to ensure the laws of British Columbia are consistent with the Declaration [on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples]”.
BC Urban Indigenous Coalitions offer spaces for urban Indigenous voices to be heard by government. Investments are needed to support engagement efforts to both strengthen and expand coalitions across the province.
References
- Statistics Canada, 2021. Indigenous Population Profile, 2021 Census of Population. Profile Tables. Retrieved on Sept 18, 2023 from https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/ipp-ppa/index.cfm?Lang=E
- Statistics Canada, 2021. Indigenous Population Profile, 2021 Census of Population. Profile Tables. Retrieved on Sept 18, 2023 from https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/ipp-ppa/index.cfm?Lang=E
- Statistics Canada, 2021. Indigenous Population Profile, 2021 Census of Population. Profile Tables. Retrieved on Sept 18, 2023 from https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/ipp-ppa/index.cfm?Lang=E
- BC Assembly of First Nations, 2024. First Nations in BC. Retrieved on April 11, 2024 from: https://www.bcafn.ca/first-nations-bc
- MNBC, 2024. About MNBC. Retrieved on Apr 11, 2024 from: https://www.mnbc.ca/about-mnbc
- Government of BC, 2019. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Available at: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/19044
*Mixed Heritages, Addt’l Groups, Alt. Groups refers to what Statistics Canada has identified as: “Multiple Indigenous Responses = persons who identify as any two or all three of the following: First Nations (North American Indian), Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit)” and “Indigenous responses not included elsewhere = persons who do not identify as First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) but who report having Registered or Treaty Indian status and/or Membership in a First Nation or Indian band”
Want to get involved?
Get In Touch
British Columbia is comprised of the traditional territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured the lands and waters around us since time immemorial. We honour their right to be included in all matters related to their territories. We further recognize the Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous Peoples living in the territories who make valuable contributions to our collective wellness.