Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Survey, 2002
2001 CENSUS HIGHLIGHTS
ABORIGINAL ENTREPRENEURS SURVEY, 2002 HIGHLIGHTS1
Nearly 37% of Canada’s 27 195 Aboriginal self-employed individuals were women. Of these 9930 individuals:
◆ almost half were North American Indians;
◆ almost six out of ten lived in urban areas; and
◆ 88% resided off reserve.
More than 63% of Canada’s 27 195 Aboriginal self-employed individuals were men. Of these 17 265 individuals:
◆ almost half were Métis;
◆ almost half lived in urban areas; and
◆ 84% resided off reserve.
When compared to male Aboriginal entrepreneurs, female Aboriginal entrepreneurs:
◆ operated businesses in the professional, scientific and technical, education, health and social services
industries more often and in the construction industry less often;
◆ were more likely to operate their businesses in partnership and less likely to incorporate their business;
◆ were more likely to operate a business between zero and five years old and less likely to operate a
business over ten years old;
◆ were more likely to possess college- or university-level business training;
◆ tended to require less start-up financing and were more likely not to borrow any start-up funds;
◆ were more likely to have operated full-time in 2002;
◆ were less likely to have employees; and
◆ were less likely to state that they did not expect their business to grow in the next two years because of
barriers.