Indian Act

• Created in 1876• The act allows the federal

government to develop specific policies to administer Treaty rights to First Nations

• The act created “Indian Agents” who made individual decisions

Indian Act

• The act defines who is a “status Indian” with Treaty rights

• The act originally aimed to assimilate First Nations peoples• The act defined how to conduct

affairs• It restricted their rights

• The act remains in force today

Indian Act Amendments

• In 1985, parliament attempted to bring the act in alignment with the Charter

• Three principles:• Removal of discrimination• Restoring status and membership

rights• Increasing control of own affairs

Indian Act Amendments

• Latest attempt was in 2002, but First Nations rejected the attempt

• Read the article on pg. 138 and complete the spot and respond on the same page