An overview of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis health in Canada
March 2025
First Nations people, Inuit, and Métis people in Canada share unique perspectives on health and wellness that reflect holistic and balanced interconnections between spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical dimensions of well-being. The adverse effects of colonization and ongoing colonialism have disrupted this balance, resulting in an over-representation of Indigenous people in health statistics. The factors underlying these health disparities are multi-faceted and difficult to overcome, but strengths-based approaches grounded in self-determination, resiliency, capacity building, supportive environments, and culture-based practices are increasingly recognized as promising ways to reduce health inequities and improve health outcomes for Indigenous people.
This fact sheet provides a general introduction to First Nation, Inuit, and Métis health in Canada and the context in which Indigenous communities, health practitioners, policymakers, and researchers are striving to improve the health and health equity of Indigenous populations. The fact sheet is an update to the NCCIH’s (2013) fact sheet, An overview of Aboriginal health in Canada. It includes information about data limitations in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis public health; demographic characteristics, determinants of health, and health status of Indigenous people; the appropriateness of population health measurement frameworks for Indigenous populations; and the jurisdictional context for Indigenous health policies and programs.
View or download the fact sheet (PDF)