An act passed by Parliament in 1876 that defines who is and who is not a status Indian or First Nation's person. At first, the act banned some traditional practices of the First Nation's cultures. As well, only those who renounced their Indian status were given the opportunity to vote. The Indian Act was enacted by the Parliament of Canada under Section 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867, and it became official legislation in 1876, which provides Canada's Federal Government exclusive authority to legislate in relation to "Indians and Lands Reserved for Indians."
The Indian Act defines who is an "Indian" and contains certain legal rights for registered Indians. The rights that are exclusive to Indians in the Indian Act, are unchangable even by the legal system under of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The purpose of the act was originally to assimilate the Aboriginals. The government banned certain cultural practices and took away many of their rights. The act that they still use now was passed in 1951. The act before has been unfair, discriminatory, and harsh. It has adapted in many ways since it was passed in 1876.
Once an Aboriginal has been registered by the act following specific regulations, they are considered a “status Indian” and they receive benefits. Before 1985, Indian status was easily lost, such as marrying a man who did not have Indian status. After 1985, people who lost their status for such unfair reasons had it regained.
The Indian Act defines who is an "Indian" and contains certain legal rights for registered Indians. The rights that are exclusive to Indians in the Indian Act, are unchangable even by the legal system under of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The purpose of the act was originally to assimilate the Aboriginals. The government banned certain cultural practices and took away many of their rights. The act that they still use now was passed in 1951. The act before has been unfair, discriminatory, and harsh. It has adapted in many ways since it was passed in 1876.
Once an Aboriginal has been registered by the act following specific regulations, they are considered a “status Indian” and they receive benefits. Before 1985, Indian status was easily lost, such as marrying a man who did not have Indian status. After 1985, people who lost their status for such unfair reasons had it regained.
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Links- http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0003975
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Act
Edited by huang-rundle