Restriction of Freedoms
The Indian Act placed in the hands of the federal government complete control over First Nations politics, finance, culture, and personal lives. Ceremonies like the potlatch and the Sun Dance that had been practiced for thousands of years were outlawed and forbidden. In 1914, the Act barred the wearing of Aboriginal costume in any dance, show, exhibition, stampede or pageant, unless the Minister approved. The possession of totem poles, grave houses, or even a rock embellished with paintings or carvings was forbidden, unless the Minister approved.
People were not permitted to move about freely, if they did so they could be jailed or fined if, for example, they were deemed to linger in pool halls.
The authority of the Crown even extended to an individual’s Last Will and Testament. A Will could be declared to be void if, in the opinion of the authorities, it was deemed to be unsuitable, inequitable, inferior, unsound, invalid, anything at all.
The Potlach ban lasted for 71 years, resulting in a monumental loss of culture, and traditional items. Many of these valuables were distributed to museums across the globe.
Elected Chief and Band Council: the Indian Act removed tradition First Nation governing structures such as heredity Chiefs and longhouses. Rather than respecting First Nations cultures and values the Indian Act imposed an electoral system much like the one of the colonizers.
Prohibited the sale of alcohol First Nations: In the early days of the Indian Act the sale of alcohol to First nations was prohibited. The belief behind this was that if First Nations were drinking they would not be attending to the farm lands. Prohibition has been proven not be work and often supports the black market.
Cultural ceremonies become illegal: The goal of the Indian Act was to assimilate First Nations people into the dominate European culture. In order to promote assimilation cultural practices were band including the Potlache and the Sun Dance.
Revoked status from woman: The Indian Act has been regarded as a Sexist document has the Indian Act has not respected the role and rights of women. If a woman married a ‘non-Indian’ it was considered in her best interest to revoke her Indian Status so that she was able to sever connections with her community. An Indian was considered a male Indian, the wife of a male Indian or a child of a male Indian.
Enfranchisement: is a legal process for terminating a person's Indian status and conferring full Canadian citizenship. Enfranchisement was a key feature of the Canadian federal government's assimilation policies regarding Aboriginal peoples.
