Affects of the Indian Act Canadian History 30F

The Indian Act The Indian Act was passed in 1876 as a way to consolidate all pre-existing laws concerning Frist Nation people into a single document The act promoted assimilation and was reflective of a very “Eurocentric” attitude that traditional culture should be abandoned in favour of European based culture The act was a “paternalistic” act in which the government could make changes to the act with no consultation from the First Nations along with providing no rights

Goals of the Indian Act a) the assimilation of First Nations through enfranchisement b) to manage First Nation communities and reserves c) to define who could and could not be classified as a First Nations person

Main Provisions of the Act The First Nations were considered “wards” of the state meaning they would not have the same rights to citizenship as other Canadians First Nation leadership was discouraged Defined “Indian Status” – defined as a person who belonged to a band and lived on reserve land Women who married non-Aboriginal lost their status (as well as their children) Government controlled financial matters on the reserve Children were required to attend residential schools Some traditional ceremonies were banned Indian Agents had authority to manage reserves and enforce Indian Act polices

Identity and Registration All status Indians are recorded as registered Indians of Canada Status Indians usually resisted attempts at enfranchisement A status Indian is entitled to treaty rights

Gender Distinction The Indian Act changed the equality of women Status was always linked through male lineage and women who married outside of their race lost status Women were not allowed to participate in band council

Band Councils The act imposed the same system of government on every reserve Band council consisted of a chief and council elected for three year terms All spending of budget is subject to the authority of the federal government

Pass System The pass system was created after the 1885 Northwest Rebellion This system restricted First Nations to their reserve territory Indian Agents had to give permission for someone to leave the reserve

Indian Agent Indian Agents worked within the department of Indian Affairs created in 1880 The agent had far reaching judicial, economic and social powers on reserves The role of the agent was slowly phased out in the 1950’s

Economic and Political Marginalization Reserve land often unsuitable for agriculture Reserve land was still considered crown land, which meant land could not be sold for money and natural resources belonged to the government Reserves were purposely isolated from each other to prevent resistance to assimilation