1. Affects of the Indian Act
Canadian History 30F

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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