Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Indian Act
Know Your Rights
Criminal Law
Child Protection
Fair Decision Making
Many other laws that deal with First Nations and reserves have been passed over the years since the first Indian Act came into effect.
The Indian Act is not the only law about First Nations. Many other laws have been passed over the years since the first Indian Act came into effect. Some of these return control over some of the areas to First Nations. In most of those cases, First Nations can decide whether to use the new law or stay under the Indian Act rules. Some of these also give First Nations a way to make their own rules.
The Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act has rules about what happens to a couple’s home and other property on a reserve when they separate. It also gives First Nations a way to make their own laws about this.
The First Nations Elections Act has rules about elections on reserves that First Nations can use instead of the Indian Act rules. It also allows First Nations to develop and use a Community Election Code instead.
The First Nations Oil and Gas Moneys Management Act gives First Nations a way to control oil and gas resources on a reserve and any money made from these resources in the future. Separately, it gives First Nations a way to control their own money.
The First Nations Fiscal Management Act gives First Nations some taxation powers and a way to transfer control of their money to the First Nation.
The Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management Act gives effect to the Framework Agreement that allows First Nations to pass Land Codes to take control of their reserve land. With a Land Code, First Nations can decide things like who can live on a reserve and who can share in profits from selling reserve resources.
