In 2016, 1,673,785 individuals in Canada had an Aboriginal Identity, which represented 4.9% of the nation’s population.
In BC, there were 270,585 individuals identifying themselves as Aboriginal, or 5.9% of the province’s population.
Only 5.8% (or 3,560 individuals) of those that identify themselves as having an Aboriginal Identity in Metro Vancouver, live on Indian Reserves within the region.
Aboriginal Peoples were granted the right to vote in provincial elections in 1947, and in federal elections in 1960.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is on June 21, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.
Orange Shirt Day is held annually on September 30 in Canadian communities encouraging citizens to wear an orange shirt or lapel pin that day to promote awareness about the Indian residential school system and the impact the system has had on Indigenous communities for more than a century in Canada.
In many Coast Salish languages, the maple tree is called “paddle tree” as it is the preferred wood for making paddles.
Status Indians in Canada were not allowed off reserves between 1882 and 1935 unless they showed a pass.
Aboriginal Peoples used their knowledge of the land to develop safe trails that became the basis for many present highways.
Aboriginal place names in BC include “Squamish” (mother of winds), “Kamloops” (meeting of water),
“Chilliwack” (going back up), “Lillooet” (wild onions), and “Qualicum” (where you find dog salmon).
Aboriginal Peoples invented lacrosse and hockey.
Squamish-English Dictionary by 
