Canada's Indian Act

There was an interesting CBC oped a few days ago about Canada's Indian Act. The list:

• Denied women status


• Introduced residential schools


• Created reserves


• Renamed individuals with European names


• Restricted First Nations from leaving reserve without permission from Indian agent


• Enforced enfranchisement of any First Nation admitted to university


• Could expropriate portions of reserves for roads, railways and other public works, as well as move an entire reserve away from a municipality if it was deemed expedient


• Could lease out uncultivated reserve lands to non-First Nations if the new leaseholder would use it for farming or pasture


• Forbade First Nations from forming political organizations


• Prohibited anyone, First Nation or non-First Nation, from soliciting funds for First Nation legal claims without special license from the Superintendent General. (this 1927 amendment granted the government control over the ability of First Nations to pursue land claims)


• Prohibited the sale of alcohol to First Nations


• Prohibited sale of ammunition to First Nations


• Prohibited pool hall owners from allowing First Nations entrance


• Imposed the "band council" system


• Forbade First Nations from speaking their native language


• Forbade First Nations from practicing their traditional religion


• Forbade western First Nations from appearing in any public dance, show, exhibition, stampede or pageant wearing traditional regalia


• Declared potlatch and other cultural ceremonies illegal


• Denied First Nations the right to vote

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