Indian Status
According to the Act, First Nations people (Indians) were deemed not to be people. Right up until 1951, the definition of a person was defined in the statute as an individual other than an Indian. The Indian Act did provide that Indians could become persons by voluntarily enfranchising (giving up their status) and, in many circumstances, they were involuntarily enfranchised by the Act.
Some ways that enfranchisement could happen were by serving with the Canadian Armed forces, attaining post-secondary education, or for a First Nations woman to marry a non-First Nations man.
Since time immemorial, all First Nations had distinct cultures
and languages, and existed across the entire land. The Indian Act absorbs all nations into one political body in efforts for assimilation.
Since time immemorial, all First Nations had distinct cultures and languages, and existed across the entire land. The Indian Act absorbs all nations into one political body in efforts for assimilation.
