Aboriginal children's survey, 2006 : Enquête sur les enfants autochtones, 2006 : la famille, la collectivité et la garde des enfants

The Aboriginal Children's Survey (ACS) was designed to provide a picture of the early development of Aboriginal children and the social and living conditions in which they are learning and growing. [...] Therefore, findings from the Aboriginal Chidren's Survey are not representative of all First Nations children living in Canada; however, they are representative of First Nations children (under 6 years) living off- reserve in the ten provinces and all First Nations children (under 6 years) in the territories. [...] Among children under six years old, 26% of Inuit children, 27% of First Nations children living off reserve and 22% of Métis children had mothers between the ages of 15 to 24; this is compared to 8% of non-Aboriginal children. [...] They renew the strength of the family, clan and village and make the elders young again with their joyful presence.” (Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996) In 2006, the Census enumerated about 47,000 First Nations children under the age of six years living off reserve in Canada6. [...] Across the generations: Living with grandparents According to the 2006 Census, 9% of off-reserve First Nations children under the age of six were living with their grandparents compared to 5% of non-Aboriginal children.