Abstract: The subject of this research is the socioeconomic situation of the indigenous peoples of Canada at the present stage of their development. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of such key socioeconomic indicators as life expectancy of the representatives of indigenous population, employment and unemployment rate, average annual income, level of secondary and higher education, command of native language, etc. An attempt is made to determine the major factors of socioeconomic development, measures of state support, as well as the existing problems and future prospects. The author notes correlation between the modernization of education of indigenous peoples and preservation of their languages and cultural traditions. Since the early 2000s, the socioeconomic situation of indigenous peoples of Canada has somewhat improved, considering high rate of population growth, as well as slight minimization of the gap with nonindigenous Canadians such key indicators as life expectancy, employment rate, level of education, and average annual income. First and foremost, it pertains to the indigenous peoples outside Indian reservations and Mestizo. The situation with indigenous peoples in Indian reservations and the Inuit remains complicated. Majority of the problems that slow down the pace of socioeconomic development are associated namely with these groups of indigenous peoples. In economic terms, there is a noticeable increase of self-employment among the indigenous population, the development of aboriginal tourism. Positive changes are associated with popularization of the indigenous culture, which ultimately leads to the fact that more and more of the indigenous people in the country seek to legitimize their descent. Considering a significant share of young representatives of indigenous population, the government of Canada takes measures on the development of new programs in the sphere of education and employment, which are aimed not only at improving the quality of life of the indigenous peoples, but also at preserving their ethnocultural heritage.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the development of aboriginal tourism in Canada as one of the priority directions towards preservation and development of the cultural heritage of its indigenous population. Aboriginal tourism in Canada is define by the activity of such tourism agencies and organizations, which mostly belong to the representatives of indigenous people – First Nations, Métis, Inuit, managed and/or controlled by them. Special emphasis is made to the economic indicators of such type of tourism industry, as well as the core activities of aboriginal tourism agencies, their concept and development trends from the perspective of sustainable development of the territories used for preservation and promotion of the traditional cultural practices and language of the First Nations communities. The conducted research demonstrates the sustainable development of aboriginal tourism in Canada, escalating interest of tourists and the indigenous population. One of the key factors contributing to such increase becomes the tourists’ intention to obtain new cultural experience and knowledge, along with the desire of aboriginal communities to improve their socioeconomic situation and promote further preservation of the traditional economy and native culture. Therefore, the author underlines the annual increase in employment rate among the representatives of indigenous population and the range of tourist activities implemented by them. Such experience is of special practical importance for the creation of regional programs for support and development of the indigenous minorities of Russia.