Facts Sheets and Additional Information
Nova Scotia’s Aboriginal population is primarily made of Mi’kmaq people. The Mi’kmaw nation has existed in what is now Nova Scotia for thousands of years. The 2006 census provides us with an overview of the population today.
The People
There are 24,175 people of Aboriginal identity in Nova Scotia – an increase of 42% since 2001. This population makes up 2.7% of the total population of Nova Scotia;
There are 15,240 First Nation people – The majority of the First Nation people in Nova Scotia are from the Mi’kmaw nation.
The First Nation population is much younger then the general population with a median age of 25.4 versus 41.6 for the total population;
8,770 people live on reserve in Nova Scotia;
Communities
There are 13 First Nation communities in Nova Scotia – the largest being Eskasoni and Indian Brook;
There are 42 reserve locations across Nova Scotia;
A growing portion of the Aboriginal population resides in Halifax (5,320);
Education
Responsibility for on-reserve education has been delegated to the Mi’kmaq through a self-government agreement;
27% of the Aboriginal identity population 25-64 did not complete high school compared to 19% in the general population;
12% of the Aboriginal population 25-64 had a university degree versus 20% in the general population;
Labour Force Activity
The unemployment rate for people living on reserve in the 2006 census was 24.6% versus 9.1% for all Nova Scotians. The unemployment rate for the Aboriginal identity population was 15.5%;
In addition, only 50% of people living on-reserve participated in the labour force.
This compares to 63% for the Aboriginal identity population. This rate was the same as the general population.
The following fact sheets and reports provide some additional information about Aboriginal and Mi’kmaq people in Nova Scotia: