In my experience working in Northwestern Ontario, there are gaps in data for a reason: there is distrust on the part of some Indigenous community leaders of the researchers.  
Part of collecting data requires putting effort into being clear and transparent about how the data is used.  I’m not sure this has been done well in the past.

@Registered Member posted:

In my experience working in Northwestern Ontario, there are gaps in data for a reason: there is distrust on the part of some Indigenous community leaders of the researchers.  
Part of collecting data requires putting effort into being clear and transparent about how the data is used.  I’m not sure this has been done well in the past.

Hi Dr. Fitch, well said on the seeking of data.  What I would say is accountability to First Nation Peoples. 

I'm not trying to sidetrack your important question Jessica. 

I'm sure Dr. Fitch you have read this article below and know of the writer, Dennis McPherson, but useful for others to consider, well really, wrestle with. 

Indian on the Lawn: How are Research Partnerships with Aboriginal Peoples Possible?

http://www.netnewsledger.com/2...al-peoples-possible/

THUNDER BAY – Indian on the Lawn – A review of the literature pertaining to Aboriginal peoples shows an overwhelming acceptance by researchers to focus their research ON Aboriginal peoples as objects of inquiry; as things to be studied. From this perspective, researchers have developed their careers, their understanding of Aboriginal communities, their partnerships with these communities and their research priorities revolving around this perspective as if it were a legitimate conclusion. But this is a wrong-headed perspective leading to a false conclusion.

We, the Aboriginal peoples, are not objects of inquiry, and we are not things to be studied in order to build a career for someone else! As Maori scholar Linda Tuhiwai Smith argue ....