Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Indian Act
Know Your Rights
Criminal Law
Child Protection
Fair Decision Making
A Land Code is rules made by a First Nation about how reserve land will be managed.
First Nations can reclaim part of their Inherent Right to self-government through the Land Code process. A Land Code is rules made by a First Nation that say how reserve land will be managed.
If a First Nation has a Land Code, most parts of the Indian Act about reserve land no longer apply. Some parts of the Indian Act continue to apply. These include rules about:
- protecting reserve land and property on reserves from being taken for a debt
- interests in reserve land and property on reserves being exempt from taxes
- registration as an Indian under the Act
- elections
- bylaws
- Wills and Estates (except the rule that the Minister needs to approve someone inheriting reserve land)
Passing a Land Code
First Nations can pass Land Codes with the approval of their members.
Decisions Under a Land Code
Under a Land Code the First Nation can do anything an owner could do except sell the land.
Laws Under a Land Code
First Nation Councils have the authority to pass laws based on a Land Code.
