The labor market and rural-urban differences among first nations: the case of Saskatchewan

This paper is an analysis of income and expenditure patterns of two samples taken from First Nation communities in Saskatchewan. A number of hypotheses related to socioeconomic characteristics are tested. Contrary to the received view, it is found that the residents of the reserves are no worse off, by conventional standards of well-being, than their urban counterparts. In fact we found that the poverty rate in the urban sample was higher. Furthermore, those on the reserve had a higher educational attainment than those living off-reserve. For both communities, a minimum high school diploma significantly raises income, but trade certificates do not. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]