How Does the Indian Act Affect Me?

For First Nation people, the Indian Act controls many aspects of their lives. 

From the time the first Indian Act was passed until the present day, the Indian Act definitions of Indian, Band and Band Member control:

Reserve Land

  • who can live on a reserve
  • who can transfer their interest in reserve land
  • who can inherit the right to possess a part of reserve land
  • when reserve land can secure a loan
  • when personal property (not land but things like cars, snowmobiles or equipment) on a reserve can secure a loan
  • how family property on a reserve is divided when a couple separates

Reserve Government

  • how a reserve government is elected
  • powers of a reserve government
  • who can be part of a reserve government
  • who can vote in a reserve election for a reserve government

Money the government has set aside for First Nations

  • who can share in it
  • how it can be spent
  • how it can be added to

Access to government programs

  • who can receive uninsured health benefits
  • who can receive post-secondary education funding

Taxes

  • when an interest in reserve land is exempt from taxes
  • when GST and PST do not apply to goods bought on or delivered to a reserve
  • when money earned on a reserve is exempt from taxation
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Department of Justice Canada

PLEA gratefully acknowledges funding from the Department of Justice Canada for the development and printing of this resource.

Cree Nisga'a Clothing

The beautiful original artwork in this resource was created by Cree artist Linda Lavallee, owner of Cree Nisga’a Clothing.