A multidimensional analysis of response mobility to Indigenous identification questions in Canada, 2016 to 2021

Response mobility in the Indigenous population of Canada refers to the phenomenon of census respondents changing their responses to Indigenous self-identification questions across census cycles. Previous research has shown that response mobility has significantly contributed to the growth of Indigenous population estimates in Canada, though its impact has varied across different Indigenous identity groups and geographic locations. This paper aims to update and expand upon prior research by providing estimates on the extent of response mobility among the Indigenous population between the 2016 and 2021 census cycles. It further examines the impact of these changes on socio-demographic indicators and identifies the factors associated with response mobility. Using integrated data from the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the paper employs descriptive statistics through cross-tabulations of Indigenous populations, along with multivariate analysis to explore associated factors. The findings indicate response mobility remains a significant contributor to the growth of Indigenous populations in Canada and that response mobility has impacted sociodemographic indicators among Indigenous populations. Finally, the paper identifies that factors such as reporting Indigenous ancestry are associated with identification. Overall, this paper provides valuable insights into the extent and impact of response mobility within Indigenous populations in Canada.