The Union of Ontario Indians wants area First Nations to participate in the 2011 long form census.
Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee says it's vital that aboriginal residents take part.
"It ensures that adequate funding for priorities like education, health care, economic development both on and off reserve are taken into account with accurate numbers," says Madahbee. "If our First Nations data and information is not included, very little funding comes to the communities."
Madahbee says they've struck a deal with Statistics Canada to hire aboriginals to collect the data from area reserves.
