UOI OFFICES, NIPISSING (January 20, 2011) – The Anishinabek Nation is encouraging its citizens to participate in the 2011 Census in order to ensure adequate funding for such priorities as education, health care and economic development on and off-reserve.
“We are actively promoting collection of information from Anishinabek communities so we can gather specific data about our on-reserve and off-reserve citizens,” said Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee.
The Anishinabek Nation and Statistics Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today establishing a partnership for the complete and accurate enumeration of Anishinabek citizens in the 2011 Census and the National Household Survey.
Under terms of the MOU, each Chief and Council will need to issue a Band Council Resolution authorizing the census and promoting the active participation of community members. Statistics Canada will hire at least one person from each of the Anishinabek member communities to assist in the data collection.
The Anishinabek Nation is promoting the National Household Survey, also known as the “long-form” census.
“The short-form census is really of no use to us because it does not provide data on such things as Aboriginal status and our socio-economic situation.”
“Completion of the long-form survey is purely voluntary but this is the information that is essential for our funding requirements,” Madahbee added. “This is our chance to get accurate and up-to-date data on the socio-economic status of our communities and our Nation.”
Anishinabek citizens residing on-reserve are urged to complete the National Household Survey form when the enumerator calls upon them. Those living off-reserve will receive a letter from Statistics Canada in the mail and are urged to complete the National Household Survey online, following the instructions provided in the letter.
“Involving our citizens in initiatives like the census is in keeping with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” the Grand Council Chief said. “For example, Article 14 says signatory states should work with indigenous peoples to have access to culturally-appropriate education. Data from census participation will contribute to that.”
The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 39 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
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