Current Reality
The 2021 census counted 1.8 million Indigenous people in Canada or 5.0% of the total population. About half (44%) of the Indigenous population—representing 801,045 First Nations people, Métis and Inuit—lived in an urban areas.
Aug. 30, 2018: The very first Summit of First Nations and Municipalities on Reconciliation was held today, at Montréal city hall. Among other issues, today’s discussions focused on:
- the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
- the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and its impact on municipalities;
- examples of positive partnerships between municipalities and First Nations communities.
The Ville de Montréal, Assembly of First Nations of Québec and Labrador, (AFNQL), the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) and the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM), all made multiple commitments towards Reconciliation:
51% identified as First Nations, 45% as Métis and 1% as Inuit.