How do we make Indigenous population data more precise—and more meaningful? In this presentation, Kienan Williams introduces seven Quantifiable Indigenous Concepts (QICs) developed from Canada’s 2021 Census of Population, and explores how they can strengthen the way Indigenous populations are identified, disaggregated and analyze. With 1.8 million people self-reporting Indigenous identity in the 2021 Census, accurately disaggregating Indigenous populations requires appropriate quantitative methodological tools. Kienan will draw on both quantitative methods and his lived experience as a Status Indian represented in population datasets to explore why these distinctions matter.

Kienan will take a closer look at the approximately 0.9 million people in the Status Indian population and the importance of accurately representing this population in quantitative analysis. He’ll also introduce Quantifiable Indigenous Concepts Identification (QICIDs), a methodology designed to bring together quantitative sources of Indigenous population data and support analysis that is more precise, consistent and meaningful.