Is there a newer shapefile containing reserve boundaries available? I have the file produced by Equinox, but it’s from 2006. I don’t know how much reserves have changed in the interim, but I would like to see something a little more contemporary, if possible.
Answer
It’s been a while since I have had ArcGIS at my disposal, but have you used the boundary files from statcan?
The Census Subdivision Boundary Files portray the census subdivision boundaries for which census data are disseminated. A census subdivision is a municipality or an area treated as equivalent to a municipality for statistical purposes (for example, Indian reserves and unorganized territories). 2011 Census boundary file – Census subdivision<http://www 12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/geo/bound-limit/bound-limit-2011-eng.cfm>.
Census subdivision types associated with 'on reserve' population. "On reserve" population is a derived census variable that is captured by using the census subdivision (CSD) type according to criteria established by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC; formerly Indian and Northern Affairs Canada [INAC]). On reserve population includes people living in any of the six CSD types legally affiliated with First Nations or Indian bands (described below), as well as the northern village of Sandy Bay in Saskatchewan. You can sort through CSD type (CDTYPE) in the boundary file to create another layer.
The following census subdivision types are based on the legal definition of communities affiliated with First Nations or Indian bands: Indian reserve (IRI), Indian settlement (S-É), Indian government district (IGD), Terres réservées aux Cris (TC), Terres réservées aux Naskapis (TK), Nisga'a land (NL)
For more information see: <http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92-195-x/2011001/geo/csd-sdr/def-eng.htm>
