Sampling lessons learned from surveying by one Self-governing Indigenous Government (SGIG)

A pilot project by the Nisga’a Nation

Research Theme: Intergovernmental Relations and Multilevel Governance

This research examines the varied approaches to survey design and methods for one SGIG, Nisga’a Lisims Government (NLG), and focuses on adaptations to more traditional, mainstream sampling methods. It is a case study that highlights the hybrid sampling method used to collect data. The hybrid sampling method features the combined use of convenience and random sampling to collect information for Nisga’a citizens living in urban locales (off Nisga’a Lands) and a census of those living in Nisga’a communities. Response rates for the aggregate urban locales were 18%, with 56% for the aggregate communities. Overall, 30% of the population responded to the Nisga’a Nation Household Survey (NNHS) questionnaire developed by NLG in conjunction with a Nisga’a working group. Further, this case study documents both positive opportunities and other unintended consequences arising from the researchers' efforts to collect information from as many members of the Nisga’a Nation as possible. In years forward, NLG aspires that these sampling methods will be useful for longitudinal data collection, and possibly, as a 'template' for other self-governing Indigenous Nations.