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Ethnic Origin in Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories (NWT), a federal territory of Canada, has a racially and ethnically diverse population. Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of a respondent’s ancestors. According to the 2021 Census, around 250 ethnic origins were reported across Canada. In the Northwest Territories, the most commonly reported ethnic origins are First Nations (North American Indian), followed by English, Scottish, Irish, and Inuit ancestry.
Indigenous peoples form the largest share of the population, accounting for 49.6% of residents, with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit being the major Indigenous groups. People of European origin make up 38.2% of the population, reflecting historical settlement patterns and migration.
Approximately 12.2% of the population of the Northwest Territories belongs to a visible minority group. The largest visible minority communities include Filipino, Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Arab populations.
👉 Also read about the Population of Northwest Territories
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
Northwest Territories Population by Ethnic Origin
The most frequently reported ethnic origin in the Northwest Territories is First Nations (North American Indian), reflecting the territory’s strong Indigenous presence. Other commonly reported ethnic origins include English, Scottish, Irish, and Inuit, highlighting both Indigenous heritage and European settlement patterns.
Indigenous-related origins dominate the list, with First Nations, Inuit, Inuvialuit, Métis, Gwich’in, Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib), Cree, and Dene groups together accounting for a significant share of the population. European origins such as English, Scottish, Irish, French, German, and Ukrainian also remain prominent, particularly in urban centres like Yellowknife. Recent migration has contributed to the presence of Filipino, South Asian, and Chinese communities, adding to the territory’s cultural diversity.
Below are the top ethnic origins in the Northwest Territories based on the 2021 Census:
| # | Ethnic Origin | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Nations (North American Indian) | 12,315 | 30.50% |
| 2 | English | 5,495 | 13.61% |
| 3 | Scottish | 5,270 | 13.05% |
| 4 | Irish | 4,720 | 11.69% |
| 5 | Inuit origins | 4,150 | 10.28% |
| 6 | Canadian | 3,380 | 8.37% |
| 7 | French origins | 3,330 | 8.25% |
| 8 | Inuvialuit | 3,280 | 8.12% |
| 9 | Métis | 2,890 | 7.16% |
| 10 | German | 2,815 | 6.97% |
| 11 | Gwich’in | 1,875 | 4.64% |
| 12 | Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) | 1,730 | 4.28% |
| 13 | Filipino | 1,550 | 3.84% |
| 14 | Cree origins | 1,435 | 3.55% |
| 15 | Ukrainian | 1,025 | 2.54% |
| 16 | Chipewyan (Denesuline) | 1,005 | 2.49% |
| 17 | Dutch | 945 | 2.34% |
| 18 | British Isles | 900 | 2.23% |
| 19 | Norwegian | 680 | 1.68% |
| 20 | Polish | 615 | 1.52% |
| 21 | Welsh | 455 | 1.13% |
| 22 | Italian | 445 | 1.10% |
| 23 | Indian (India) | 430 | 1.06% |
| 24 | Dene Tha’ (Slavey) | 410 | 1.02% |
| 25 | Chinese | 365 | 0.90% |
+ many other smaller ethnic groups
Note: “Canadian” as an ethnic group has been included in census questionnaires since 1996 to capture ancestral identity. Respondents selecting this category are generally of European descent (Anglophone or Francophone) and may no longer identify with specific ancestral origins due to generational distance.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
👉 Also read about: Religion in Northwest Territories
Indigenous people in Northwest Territories
Indigenous Peoples form the largest population group in the Northwest Territories, accounting for around 49.6% of the total population, as per the 2021 Census. The territory has one of the highest proportions of Indigenous population in Canada, reflecting its deep historical, cultural, and geographic ties to Indigenous communities.
Among Indigenous groups, First Nations represent the largest share, followed by Inuit and Métis populations. These communities play a central role in the social, cultural, and economic life of the Northwest Territories.
| Aboriginal Group | Population (2021) | % of Total Population |
|---|---|---|
| First Nations | 12,315 | 30.5% |
| Inuit | 4,150 | 10.0% |
| Métis | 2,890 | 7.1% |
| Total Indigenous Population | 20,035 | 49.6% |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
Visible minorities in Northwest Territories
Almost 12.18% of the population of the Northwest Territories belongs to a visible minority group, according to the 2021 Census. The largest visible minority community in the territory is Filipino, followed by Black, South Asian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian populations. These communities are primarily concentrated in urban centres such as Yellowknife and other regional service hubs.
Overall, visible minorities represent a small but steadily growing share of the territory’s population, reflecting migration linked to employment, education, and public services.
| # | Visible Minority Group | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Filipino | 1,665 | 4.12% |
| 2 | Black | 1,060 | 2.63% |
| 3 | South Asian | 775 | 1.92% |
| 4 | Chinese | 335 | 0.83% |
| 5 | Southeast Asian | 305 | 0.76% |
| 6 | Arab | 225 | 0.56% |
| 7 | Latin American | 125 | 0.31% |
| 8 | Japanese | 105 | 0.26% |
| 9 | Korean | 75 | 0.19% |
| 10 | West Asian | 35 | 0.09% |
| 11 | Others | 45 | 0.11% |
| 12 | Multiple visible minorities | 170 | 0.42% |
| – | Total Visible Minority Population | 4,920 | 12.18% |
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
Also read: Ethnicity in Canada
Key Highlights
Indigenous Peoples form the majority, accounting for 49.6% of the Northwest Territories’ population, one of the highest shares in Canada.
First Nations are the largest Indigenous group (30.5%), followed by Inuit (10.0%) and Métis (7.1%).
European-origin populations make up about 38.2% of residents, with English, Scottish, and Irish being the most commonly reported ancestries.
Visible minorities represent 12.18% of the population, led by Filipino, Black, and South Asian communities.
The Northwest Territories report over 250 ethnic origins, highlighting cultural diversity despite a small total population.
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