Standard variables and values
Last updated on January 29, 2026The introduction of this standard does not mean that all ministries must collect the mandatory variable below or that ministries that collect under another legislative authority must only collect the variables in the standard.
However, if you're collecting data under the Anti-Racism Data Act, you must ask the mandatory variable in this standard. Unless it’s required to provide a service, individuals must always be given the choice about whether they provide this information and if they decline to answer this cannot impact their services.
On this page
- Mandatory variable: Indigenous identity
- Optional variable: First Nations status
- Optional variable: On-reserve or Treaty Lands
The following variable and values always apply to Indigenous identity data collection.
Purpose
This mandatory variable indicates if a person identifies as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
Question
“Do you identify yourself as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit?”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. “First Nations” | FIRST_NATIONS | Individual identifies as First Nations |
| 2. “Métis” | METIS | Individual identifies as Métis |
| 3. “Inuit” | INUIT | Individual identifies as Inuit |
| 4. “Not Indigenous” | NOT_INDIGENOUS | Individual does not identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit |
| 5. “I do not know / I am not sure” | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 6. “Prefer not to answer” | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- If an authorized third-party (for example, parent, guardian, caregiver, legal representative) is required to answer, the question may be rephrased to “Does [the specified individual] identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit?”
- Identity values 1-5 are always presented as response options
- “Prefer not to answer” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
- Values 1-3 can be selected in combination. On forms, use checkboxes instead of radio buttons
- Values 1-3 include Status and Non-Status people. See the First Nations Status variable for more information
- Present and record Métis using the accent aigu over the e (é), except when the information system does not support the character
- Values “Not Indigenous” and “Prefer not to answer” cannot be selected in combination with each other or with other values
- There is no pan-Indigenous value because it is understood that anyone who identifies as First Nations, Métis or Inuit is Indigenous
- In cases (for example, paper form submissions) where the Indigenous Identity value is Null or “Prefer not to answer” AND the First Nations Status is “Status”, the Indigenous Identity value can be interpreted as “First Nations” for research purposes. This does not change the raw data recorded
- If needed for interoperability purposes, consult the concordance tables for the Indigenous Identity Data Standard for more information
Purpose
This optional variable indicates if a person is registered under the Indian Act as a Status Indian.
Question
“Are you registered under the Indian Act as a Status Indian?”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. “Status” | STATUS | Individual identifies as Status Indian |
| 2. “Non-Status” | NON_STATUS | Individual identifies as Non-Status Indian |
| 3. “I do not know / I am not sure” | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 4. “Prefer not to answer” | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- The use of this variable is conditional on the person identifying as “First Nations” for the Indigenous Identity variable, either in any of its valid combinations of the three identity values or including “Prefer not to answer”
- If an authorized third-party (for example, parent, guardian, caregiver, legal representative) is required to answer, the question may be rephrased to “Is [this specified individual] registered under the Indian Act as a Status Indian?”
- Identity values 1, 2, and 4 are always presented as response options
- “Prefer not to answer” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
- As only one value may be selected, use radio buttons on forms
Purpose
This optional variable indicates whether a person’s usual residence is on a First Nations reserve or on Treaty Lands.
Question
“Are you a usual resident on a First Nations reserve or Treaty Lands?”
Data values
| Label | Code | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. “On reserve” | ON_RESERVE | Individual lives on a reserve |
| 2. “On Treaty Lands” | ON_TREATY_LANDS | Individual lives on Treaty Lands |
| 3. “Neither on reserve nor on Treaty Lands” | NOT_ON_RESERVE_TREATY_LANDS | Individual does not live on reserve or on Treaty Lands |
| 4. “I do not know / I am not sure” | DO_NOT_KNOW | Individual is unsure how to answer |
| 5. “Prefer not to answer” | PREFER_NOT_TO_ANSWER | Individual declines to share information |
Usage
- This variable applies to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
- Values “On Reserve” and “On Treaty Lands” mean the individual is a usual resident (sometimes referred to as “ordinarily resident”). Programs and services determine what usual residence means, for example, at least half of the time
- To help respondents, forms and surveys should provide guidance about what usual residence means (for example, tool tips or an introductory statement). See definition of usual residence for more information
- If an authorized third-party (for example, parent, guardian, caregiver, legal representative) is required to answer, the question may be rephrased to “Is [the specified individual] a usual resident on a First Nations reserve or Treaty Lands?”
- Identity values 1-4 are always presented as response options
- “Prefer not to answer” is always presented as a response option unless identity information is required to provide a program or service
- As only one value may be selected, use radio buttons on forms
- Selecting both “On Reserve” and “On Treaty Lands” is not an allowed combination