Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis and Inuit – Health Care Access and Experiences

Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with data from the 2022 Indigenous Peoples Survey (IPS) and the other surveys in the Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis and Inuit.

Statistics Canada may also combine the information you provide with data from other surveys or administrative sources.

The survey asks questions about:

• access to health care and experiences
• prescription medications
• discrimination in a health care setting

Statistics Canada publishes the results of its surveys in many formats. To find all the documents related to this survey, follow the links below and type the name of the survey in the search engine located at the left of your screen to filter the results.

Data: You will find tables, profiles of a community or region, thematic maps, public use microdata files, and data visualization tools.

Analysis: You will have direct access to Stats in brief (e.g., releases from The Daily, fact sheets), articles and reports, and journals and periodicals.

• What is the Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis, and Inuit?
• How will the survey series be conducted?
• How and why was I selected?
• Will data collection be done on reserve?
• How many people will be contacted to participate in the survey?
• Who is sponsoring this survey?
• How long does the survey take to complete?
• Why are you collecting this information and what will it be used for? What type of questions will the surveys ask?
• Will you use my name? Will my name be put on a mailing list?
• Is my participation voluntary?
• How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
• Will the data be available to Indigenous people?
• Does the Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis and Inuit follow principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession like First Nations Information Governance Centre surveys?

What is the Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis, and Inuit?

The Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis, and Inuit is a short panel survey of First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit who had previously agreed to participate in follow up surveys. This is the first time that Statistics Canada is using panel surveys to collect data from First Nations people living off reserve, Métis, and Inuit.

How will the survey series be conducted?

If you were selected to participate, we will either send you an invitation to the survey by email or a Statistics Canada interviewer will call you. Once you receive the email invitation, you will be able to complete the questionnaire online at your convenience.

The Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis and Inuit involves conducting a series of 3 to 5 short surveys with the same group of respondents, including you. You will be contacted by email or telephone for a new survey every few months over approximately a period of one year. After that, we will no longer contact you for this survey series, except to provide the survey results to you.

A Statistics Canada interviewer may contact you by telephone if you do not complete the surveys online.

How and why was I selected?

You previously participated in the 2022 Indigenous Peoples Survey (IPS) and provided contact information to participate in future surveys at Statistics Canada. Selecting people who have agreed to participate in future surveys and those who have already participated in a Statistics Canada survey simplifies our data collection process.

Will data collection be done on reserve?

No. The Indigenous Peoples Survey (IPS) does not collect data on reserve and the survey series will be conducted with IPS respondents who agreed to participate in future surveys. As a result, we are unable to contact those who live on reserve.

A survey of First Nations people living on reserve and in northern First Nations communities will be conducted by the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC). For more information, please visit the Indigenous Services Canada website or the FNIGC website.

How many people will be contacted to participate in the survey?

Approximately 6,200 First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit who agreed to participate in follow up surveys from the 2022 IPS will be contacted.

Who is sponsoring this survey?

The Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis and Inuit is funded through the Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data, a joint initiative between Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Statistics Canada. For more information about this initiative please see this link Annual Report to Parliament 2022.

How long does the survey take to complete?

The time required to complete the survey varies from person to person, however each survey in the Survey Series of First Nations People, Métis and Inuit consists of approximately 20 questions and should only take a few minutes to complete.

Why are you collecting this information and what will it be used for? What type of questions will the surveys ask?

The purpose of the survey panel series is to fill known data gaps and data needs that are used to support programs or policies for a wide range of stakeholders, including First Nations people living off reserve, Métis and Inuit organizations, communities and governments.

The panel series will cover a variety of social topics that aim to fill known data gaps identified by Indigenous and federal partners.

With your help, information will be collected on topics such as:

• access to health care and experiences
• discrimination
• food security
• well-being
• impacts of rising prices
• emergency preparedness.

Participation in the panel surveys will help inform and support policy and programming activities that are important to Indigenous peoples in Canada. Your participation is important and valuable.

Will you use my name? Will my name be put on a mailing list?

No. All personal information such as names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses will be separated from survey answers. Names and e-mail addresses are only used to contact people for follow-up. No information will be published that could allow an individual to be identified. Statistics Canada may use personal identifiers for internal linkage purposes. For example, data from this survey will be linked with that from the 2022 Indigenous Peoples Survey for analysis purposes. Personal identifiers will be removed once data linkage is done. Please note that only aggregated statistical data will be released and no information will be published that could identify an individual or household.

Is my participation voluntary?

Yes, Statistics Canada is only contacting those who have previously stated they would like to participate in follow up surveys. Participation is not mandatory, but you were chosen to represent others like yourself, and we would appreciate your cooperation. Each survey consists of approximately 20 questions, and you can do it online at any point during the collection period from May 21 to June 9. If you prefer to fill out the questionnaire by telephone with an interviewer, this option is available as well.

How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?

As with all Statistics Canada surveys, any information provided will remain confidential pursuant to the Statistics Act.

Statistics Canada takes the privacy of Canadians very seriously. Published data can never identify you or your household.

Will the data be available to Indigenous people?

Yes. Statistics Canada will publish highlights of the results on our website and inform survey participants of the results.

Does the Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis and Inuit follow principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession like First Nations Information Governance Centre surveys?

According to the First Nations Information Governance Centre, the Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP™) principles are a set of standards that establish how First Nations data should be collected, protected, used, or shared.

Both Statistics Canada and OCAP™ hold the shared belief of the importance of high-quality information. Statistics Canada places a high priority on collaborating with others, including other federal departments, other levels of governments and the many institutions that benefit from high quality statistical information. Whenever possible, Statistics Canada aims to collaborate and engage with Indigenous organizations. Through our Indigenous Liaison Program, we assist in building statistical capacity in Indigenous institutions and communities. By doing so, Statistics Canada aims to contribute to community empowerment, improve data quality, accuracy, and relevance for Indigenous communities, promote coherent analyses, minimize biases and assist communities in research and data collection.

Under the Statistics Act, Statistics Canada collects and obtains information from Canadians and is obligated to protect the confidentiality of respondents. Statistics Canada acts as stewards of these data on behalf of all respondents, including Indigenous peoples.

The Survey Series on First Nations People, Métis, and Inuit, like all surveys at Statistics Canada, follows the Statistics Act which ensures the highest standards of confidentiality in our data storage. To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.

Thank you for your participation!

The Centre for Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships (CISP) and Statistics Canada would like to thank all respondents who have agreed to participate in the survey!

National

• National Mental Health Crisis hotline – dial 988
• First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at Hope for Wellness Helpline
• The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419
• Individuals impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls are encouraged to contact the MMIWG Crisis Line toll-free at 1-844-413-6649

Regional

Nunavut

• Kamatisiaqtut Help Line: Provides culturally specific counselling and support in English or Inuktitut. Local Nunavut number 867-979-3333. Toll free outside of Iqaluit and residents of Nunavut 1-800-265-3333
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-509-1769

Ontario

• Talk 4 Healing: Offers culturally appropriate counselling services to Indigenous women by Indigenous women, via telephone, text, or chat. 1-855-554-HEAL Talk 4 Healing. Language options: Oji-Cree, Potawatomi, Micmac, Black Foot, Anishinaabe, Moose Cree, Swampy Cree, English, Cree, Algonquin, Inuktitut, Mohawk, Oneida, Odawa
• 211 (all residents): A free and confidential service that easily connects people to the critical social and community supports they need. Call or text 211, chat online: 211 Chat or email gethelp@211ontario.ca
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-888-301-6426

Quebec

• Wiichihiiwaauwin telephone helpline services: The helpline provides a safe and confidential space for people who need to talk on the phone about any difficult situations concerning their well-being. Cree-speakers and Cree Elders are available upon request in addition to service in English and French. 1-833-632-4357
• Info-santé (all residents): 811 Nurses evaluate your health situation and give advice based on your condition.
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-877-583-2965

British Columbia

• Kuu-Us Crisis Response Services: First Nations specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of where individuals reside in BC. Toll-free: 1-800-588-8717; Youth Line: 250-723-2040; Adult Line: 250-723-4050
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-877-477-0775
• 310 Mental Health Support (all residents): A crisis line that provides emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health and substance use disorders. 310-6789 (Note: This is a 7-digit phone number. There is no need to add 604 or 250 or 788 before the number.)

Saskatchewan

• HealthLine 811 (all residents): Specially trained staff are available to provide mental health and addictions crisis support in a safe and confidential manner. It's free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 811
• Piwapan Women’s Centre Crisis Line: Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week 306-425-4090
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-250-1529

Yukon

• The Reach Out Support Line (all residents): Support individuals who are in crisis and need to talk to someone about their distress or trauma. Phone line operates from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. 1-844-533-3030
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-509-1769

Northwest Territories

• NWT Help Line (all residents): Offers counselling and support by phone 1-800-661-0844
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-509-1769

Manitoba

• Klinic Crisis Line (all residents): The Crisis Lines are open to anyone in Manitoba who needs help, about any issue. Phone: 204-786-8686; Toll free: 1-888-322-3019
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-818-3505

Alberta

• Mental Health Help Line (all residents): Provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns 1-877-303-2642 (Toll free)
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-888-495-6588

New Brunswick

• Chimo (all residents): A provincial service which provides a free, confidential and bilingual crisis intervention service. 506-450-4357, 1-800-667-5005 (Toll Free).
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-414-8111

Nova Scotia

• 811 (all residents): For advice and information about mental health and addictions, call 811
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-414-8111

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Newfoundland and Labrador Healthline (all residents): Call and speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 811
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-414-8111

Prince Edward Island

• Island Helpline (all residents): This helpline aims to help Islanders who are experiencing distress - day or night, any day of the week. Call 1-800-218-2885
• First Nations & Inuit Regional Health Office: Call to find out more or access supports 1-866-414-8111