Population Overview

Population Facts 2016

These statistics, drawn from the 2016 census, paint a broad stroke of Surrey’s Indigenous population, which includes persons who are First Nations, Métis, or Inuk (Inuit). The city of Surrey is built on the traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt, and Tsawwassen First Nations.

Outpacing other cities, Surrey’s Indigenous population grew by a staggering 22.9% between 2011 and 2016. Surrey’s Indigenous population surpassed that of Vancouver by 2018, and will double Vancouver’s Indigenous population by 2035 – making it the city with the highest total Indigenous population in the province.

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All Our Relations: Honouring the Host Nations

Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee's work takes place on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Katize, Kwantlen, and Semiahmoo First Nations. We recognize their connection to this land and acknowledge that we are newcomers to Surrey like everyone else. Our group, the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee does not represent these land-based First Nations and we are careful not to speak on their behalf. Instead, we represent urban Indigenous people that have moved here from all over BC and Canada to make Surrey their home. Our focus is making Surrey a great place for Indigenous people living in the city — regardless of where they come from, their legal status, or their particular culture heritage. As we do this, we endeavour to live in a good way with the land-based First Nations that have called this land their home since time immemorial.