Glossary

Age standardizing is a technique used to make percentages for the Inuit population, which is very young, in comparison to the total Canadian population, which is much older. For example, the self-reported rate of diabetes in the Inuit population (overall 4%) cannot accurately be compared with the rate for the total Canadian population (5.5%), because the disease usually occurs in older people and the Inuit population as a whole is much younger. If we age standardize the percentage for the total Canadian population to the Inuit age structure, the percentage gets smaller. This is because we are making the total Canadian population younger to match the age structure of the Inuit population.

AIDS occurs when the entire range of symptoms and illnesses that can happen with HIV infection significantly lowers a person’s immune defences.

A condition of reacting negatively to certain substances, such as food, pollen, fur or dust.

Drugs used to reduce convulsions.

Drugs used to reduce the symptoms of epilepsy.

‘People suffering from an anxiety disorder are subject to intense, prolonged feelings of fright and distress for no obvious reason. The condition turns their life into a continuous journey of unease and fear and can interfere with their relationships with family, friends and colleagues. Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. It is estimated that they affect approximately one in 10 people. They are more prevalent among women than among men, and they affect children as well as adults. Anxiety disorders are illnesses and can be treated.’ [Canadian Mental Health Association]

A condition that may include swelling of one or more joints of the body, usually causing pain, redness and stiffness.

Handcrafted decorations and designs, includes beading, painting, drawing, carving, printmaking, and jewelry making.

This is a long–term inflammatory condition in the lungs that causes the airways to narrow, resulting in wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and/or chest tightness.

A condition causing a continuous pattern of difficulties which can lead to inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity.

A developmental disorder which affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. It is usually noticed in the first three years of life. The disorder can make social interactions such as verbal and non-verbal communication difficult. Symptoms vary from moderate to severe.

A flat bread made of flour, fat, salt, and water; baked in the oven, cooked on a griddle or over a fire.

Includes berries that are natural to the Canadian North such as blueberries, blackberries, cloudberries, etc.

Chronic bronchitis is a respiratory disorder in which the air passages in the lungs are inflamed, and the mucus–producing glands, called the bronchi, are enlarged.

A disease where there is a malignant growth or tumour from an abnormal division of body cells. Types of cancer include lung, breast, liver, bone cancer, as well as leukemia, and brain tumours.

The collection of information about all aspects of a population. The Census is conducted every five years and collects information from all Canadians.

Long–term health conditions that often do not improve. These include asthma, diabetes, arthritis, etc.

Two people of the opposite or the same sex who live together as a couple, but who are not legally married to each other.

In a sample survey, such as the Aboriginal Peoples Survey and Aboriginal Children’s Survey, to save time and money, survey questions are asked of a sample or subgroup of people, instead of everyone. Results from the sample are used to estimate what the findings would be if everyone had been asked the survey questions. Because the survey questions are not asked of everyone, the numbers from surveys are sometimes subject to error. The margin of error or confidence interval is a rough indicator of how precise the number is. The smaller the range, the more precise the number. On some of the graphs on this site, the confidence interval is shown as a stick that extends over the end of the bar. If the ranges of the “sticks” on a graph overlap, there may not be a significant statistical difference between the results.

Wild game such as caribou, seals, arctic char and other fish, plants, and other wild foods. Also called traditional Inuit food or simply Inuit food.

An event pertaining to Inuit culture, such as a feast.

Traditional Inuit activities, such as throat singing, drum dancing, and sewing.

Someone who smokes cigarettes every day.

A mental health condition that can lead to concentration problems, insomnia, loss of appetite, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, and sometimes even thoughts of death.

A disease caused by high levels of sugar in blood. It can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.
There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes and gestational diabetes, a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy.

The identification of an illness by a trained healthcare professional.

The identification of an illness or disease by reviewing a person’s symptoms. This is usually done by a trained healthcare professional.

Refers to the limitation in the kind or amount of a person’s activity because of a long–term physical condition, mental condition or health problem.

A disorder that some people are born with, caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome, in which the affected person has mild to moderate mental retardation, a short height, and flattened facial features.

A program aimed at supporting the developmental needs of pre–school aged children, such as junior kindergarten, nursery school, and Aboriginal Head Start programs. Aboriginal Head Start programs are intended to provide an introduction of pre–reading, writing and mathematics skills while at the same time counselling the importance of Aboriginal culture and language.

A federal program providing payments to eligible unemployed people, funded by contributions from employers and workers. The program provides temporary income support for unemployment, sickness, maternity, paternity or adoption, for work sharing or training, and for self–employed fishers.

The employment rate indicator shows the number of people who are employed. It is expressed as a percentage of the working–age population, 15 years of age and over, who are able to work.

A brain disorder that causes people to have recurring seizures. Seizures occur when clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain send out the wrong signals. People may have strange sensations and emotions or behave strangely. They may have violent muscle spasms or lose consciousness. [Medline Plus]

A family is a social unit consisting of members who are related to each other by blood, marriage, common–law relationship, or adoption. The concept of family can be defined in a number of different ways.

A boarding school for Inuit, First Nations and Métis students generally operated by a religious order and subsidized by the federal government. The schools are also referred to as hostels or dormitories.

The manifestation of specific growth, mental, and physical birth defects associated with the mother’s alcohol use during pregnancy. (Also called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect.)

‘A situation that exists when people lack secure access to sufficient amounts of safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life. It may be caused by the unavailability of food, insufficient buying power, inappropriate distribution, or inadequate use of food at the household level.’ [Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems (FAO)]

‘Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.’ [United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization]

Refers to the removal of children from unsafe homes to be placed in the care of Social Services.

A place where a family provides a home for children removed from their own homes by Social Services.

An adult who cares for children who are not able to live with their biological parents or guardians.

Picking or harvesting country food, such as wild berries and shellfish.

An international testing program for adults who have not completed high school. The GED test consists of core high school curriculum which, if passed, leads to a GED certificate. The certificate is considered equal to a Grade 12 high school diploma.

Supplement to the monthly pension payment of low–income seniors who have little income other than from their Old Age Security payments. The Supplement is provided by the federal government.

The gathering or hunting of country food. Some examples include hunting caribou, fishing for Arctic char, and gathering wild berries.

The reduced ability to hear sounds in the range of normal human speech. Hearing loss may be present from birth or it can develop later in life.

Heart disease is any disorder that affects the heart’s ability to function normally. The most common cause of heart disease is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.

An inflammation of the liver. There are three forms: Hepatitis A is transmitted in food, causing fever and jaundice. Hepatitis B is a severe form, transmitted in infected blood and other bodily fluids causing fever, disability and jaundice. Hepatitis C is a very serious form, transmitted through untreated blood and blood products, often resulting in chronic disease.

Persistently high arterial blood pressure which is also known as hypertension.

Refers to the highest grade or year of elementary or secondary school attended, or the highest year of university, college or other education completed.

Human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS.

A person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling. A household can consist of a person living alone, a family group, two or more families sharing a dwelling, or a group of unrelated persons living together.

A waiting list for individuals and families who want to live in a public housing unit. The list is maintained by a community’s local housing authority, such as the Housing Corporation.

The need for food and a feeling of emptiness in the stomach.

To pursue and kill wild animals or game for food.

Abnormally low blood sugar, usually resulting from too much insulin or poor diet.

Refers to a person’s sources of money during the year. Examples include income from employment, pension plans, social assistance as well as money from selling furs, fish, carvings and prints.

A hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. The lack of insulin causes diabetes.

The Inuit language is spoken by Inuit throughout the circumpolar region. It has many regional and local dialects and several written forms.

The Canadian Inuktitut term that includes land, water, and ice, and is used to describe the Inuit homeland. Inuit Nunangat includes the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR), Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut.

In the Inuit language the term means a place to learn for and about Inuit.

Refers to one Inuit person.

The Inuvialuit Settlement Region is located in the northwest corner of the Northwest Territories. The Inuvialuit Final Agreement was signed on June 5, 1984. The ISR is the homeland of the Inuvialuit and encompasses six communities. Of the 5,710 people living in the ISR, 3,115 (54.6%) are Inuit.

Anemia is having less than the normal number of red blood cells in the blood. Iron deficiency anemia, in particular, is a form of anemia due to lack of iron in the diet or to iron loss as a result of continuous bleeding.

Refers to the labour market activity of the population 15 years of age and over. It is counted by Statistics Canada in the week with the 15th day of the month prior to Census Day. Census respondents are listed as either employed or unemployed. The remainder of the working– age population is listed as not in the labour force.

The number of people in the labour force, employed or unemployed, expressed as a percentage of the Canadian population 15 years of age and over. The labour force excludes people in the military, in prison, a mental health facility, or a long term health care facility.

Refers to difficulty in learning caused by a physical or psychological dysfunction. Some examples are difficulty in language processing, difficulty in writing, difficulty with math skills, and Attention Deficit Disorder. Learning disabilities are a chronic health condition.

Includes being legally married, separated (but still legally married), divorced, widowed, or never married (single).

A cancer of the blood or bone marrow. Leukemia refers to a group of malignant diseases where there is an abnormal multiplication of white blood cells.

The number of years a person would be expected to live, based on the number of deaths for a certain period of time. It allows for comparisons of the overall state of health of a population over time and between countries.

The proportion of live births with a birth weight less than 2,500 grams. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of live births.

Lower and Upper 95% provide the range of the Confidence Interval (or margin of error) for the number. The margin of error or confidence interval is a rough indicator of how precise the number is. The smaller the range, the more precise the number. As an example, let's say 74 of Inuit said their health was excellent or very good. If the upper 95% confidence interval limit was 77 and the lower limit was 71 then the true number for the total Inuit population likely falls somewhere between 71 and 77. The confidence interval is marked on some graphs as a stick that extends over the end of the bar.

A house is in need of major repairs if it has damaged, defective structures such as walls, floors, ceilings, or is in need of major replacements such as a new roof or new external siding.

An x–ray technique to diagnose and locate tumours in the breasts.

Refers to a developmental delay, intellectual impairment, or mental handicap. Examples include autism and Down’s Syndrome. It is a chronic health condition.

‘Mental health means striking a balance in all aspects of one’s life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental. At times, the balance may be tipped too much in one direction and one’s footing has to be found again. Everyone’s personal balance is unique and the challenge is to stay mentally healthy by keeping the right balance.’ [Canadian Mental Health Association]

A change in a person’s city, town or community of residence, including the frequency and reasons for moves.

The first language learned at home during childhood which is still understood by the individual.

Shows the number of people who answered according to the label under the graph.

An "E" beside a number shows that the number should be used with caution. The quality of this number is not as high as numbers without an E. An "X" beside a number means that the number cannot be shown. It has been suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act, the legislation that Statistics Canada must follow. The number was either too small to be released to ensure a person's confidentiality, or the quality of the data was not high enough to allow it to be shown.

The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement was ratified in 2005, creating self–government for Inuit in northern Labrador, known as Nunatsiavut. Nunatsiavut was the last of the four Inuit regions to win self–government. There are five communities in Nunatsiavut. Of a total population of 2,415 in the region, 2,155 (89.2%) are Inuit. Nunatsiavut means ‘Our Beautiful Land.’

Nunavik makes up the northern part of the province of Quebec. It was the first Inuit region in Canada to sign a Land Claims Agreement. The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement was ratified in 1978. There are 14 communities in the region. Of a total population of 10,570 in Nunavik, 9,565 (90.5%) are Inuit. Nunavik means ‘Place to Live.’

Nunavut is in Canada’s Eastern Arctic. It became the country’s third territory when the Northwest Territories was divided on April1, 1999. There is a system of public government in Nunavut. There are 25 communities and of a population of 29,325 in the territory, 24,635 (84%) are Inuit. Nunavut means ‘Our Land.’

The obesity indicator shows the percentage of adults who are either overweight or obese based on their body mass index (BMI). A person is considered obese when his or her BMI is 30.0 or higher.

Someone who smokes cigarettes or other tobacco products less than every day.

A dentist that deals with treatment of irregular placement of the teeth and jaws.

Inflammation of the ear, which may cause pain, fever, hearing abnormalities, deafness or dizziness.

A house is considered overcrowded if there is more than one person per room, excluding hallways, bathrooms, vestibules and garages.

A person who has stayed overnight in a hospital as a patient in the past 12 months.

A home is owned even if it is still being paid for, is on rented or leased land, or if it is part of a condominium.

Includes any work for pay or profit, in the context of an employer–employee relationship or self–employment.

A screening test, performed by a medical professional, to detect abnormal cervical cell growth, which is a sign of cancer. The test involves wiping cells shed from the vaginal wall.

Uses physical and mechanical means (massage, regulated exercise, water, light, heat, and electricity) in the treatment and prevention of pain or injuries.

The term is used most often to describe the people in a community or region.

School above high school, such as university, college, or trade school.

A condition thought to be a precursor to Type two diabetes, identified by an intolerance of carbohydrates or other symptoms of the disease.

School for young children prior to starting elementary school.

A nurse who provides health services such as immunization, preventative medicine, counselling, and teaching to promote and preserve the health of populations. Public Health Nurses practice in homes, schools, community centres, and other community agencies.

Where a tenant makes regular payments to an owner or landlord to occupy a house.

[See Federal Residential School]

A person, business or institution whose information is obtained.

Any disease where there is inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles or fibrous tissue.

A drug which stimulates the central nervous system. It is used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

This shows the percentage of people – the number out of 100 – who answered according to the label under the graph.

An "E" beside a percentage shows that the percentage should be used with caution. The quality of this percentage is not as high as percentages without an E. An "X" beside a percentage means that the percentage cannot be shown. It has been suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act, the legislation that Statistics Canada must follow. The percentage was either too small to be released to ensure a person's confidentiality, or the quality of the data was not high enough to allow it to be shown.

Refers to either full–time or part–time (day or evening) attendance at school, college or university between September and May. Attendance is counted only for courses which could be used as credit towards a certificate, diploma or degree.

A parent who cares for one or more children without the assistance of another parent.

Financial support to provide for the basic physical and economic needs of unemployed members of a community.

Housing provided for those with low income, subsidized by public funds. (Also called Public Housing.)

Relationships with family members, friends or other community members with whom a person might find comfort, companionship, assistance or guidance.

A professional trained to talk with people and their families about emotional or physical needs, and to find them support services.

Occurs when the flow of blood to a part of the brain is cut off. This can be due to a blood clot blocking an artery that leads to the brain, or it can be caused by a burst blood vessel bleeding into the brain.

The collection of information from some or all people in a population and compiling the information into a useful summary.

Being away from home for a period of time greater than one consecutive month.

A Traditional Aboriginal Healer is someone who is recognized by the community as a traditional counsellor or someone who provides guidance and traditional medicines (such as herbs).

The medicines (plants, herbs) used by traditional healers to treat illness and to promote wellness. Examples include plant roots and leaves.

A method of hunting wildlife.

A bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs. It can spread through close, extended or regular contact with someone with active TB disease in the lungs or throat who is coughing or sneezing. Screening for TB infection is done by a skin test. A positive test shows that a person had the TB infection at some time of their life, but it does not mean they have active TB. A physical examination, chest X–ray and sputum cultures (a test to find bacteria or fungi, infecting the lungs and breathing passages) are done to check for active TB.

Occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, which is a hormone that ensures body energy needs are met. This form of diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents, but can occur in adults as well.

Occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced. Type 2 Diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in high–risk populations are being diagnosed.

The state of being unemployed (without paid work) and actively looking for work.

Varied types of eye problems including blurred vision, blind spots, and other symptoms.

Numbers that are too small to be published, such as statistics from small communities where the identity of individuals might be determined. Numbers from Statistics Canada are suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act.