Indigenous peoples have lived on the lands now known as British Columbia since time immemorial. They have much to teach non-Indigenous people about health, healthcare and health research. Their distinct world views, histories, cultural practices, spiritual beliefs and languages make our province a richer, more diverse place. Despite some advances in Indigenous health, gaps persist and are widening.
Indigenous population in British Columbia
There is a critical need for robust Indigenous data that is produced and managed by, or in partnership with, Indigenous peoples and communities. The Government of Canada’s Population Census and Survey on Indigenous Peoples are the main information sources about Indigenous peoples in Canada. Limitations with these data sources result in the need for Indigenous data, including demographic and health data, to be interpreted with caution.
According to the 2021 Census, more than 290,200 Indigenous peoples live in British Columbia—and over half live in rural or small communities. Around 62 percent of Indigenous people are First Nation from more than 200 distinct Nations, while 34 percent (97,860) are Métis, and 0.6 percent (1,720) are Inuit. As of 2025, 65 percent of the province’s Indigenous population live in rural and remote areas, with 93 percent of First Nation communities in the province located outside of large urban centres.
