the indian act - asba.ab.ca · the indian act “the people who live under the indian act in canada...

TheIndianActAnIntroductionandOverv iew

HERB GEORGE, SATSAN - APRIL24,2016

TheIndianAct

“ThepeoplewholiveundertheIndianActinCanadaliveinuniquecircumstances.TherearenoothercitizensofCanadaforwhomaspecificpieceoffederallegislationregulatestheirsocialand

politicalcitizenship,andthemostfundamentalfeaturesoftheirsocialandeconomiclives.Noothergroupsofpeople,exceptthosewhoareinprisons,livesothoroughlyunderthesupervisionandcontroloftheexecutivebranchofthefederalgovernment”

Frances AbeleLikeanill-fittingboot:Government,governanceand

managementsystems inthecontemporaryIndianAct(p.32)


WabKinew inCBC’sThe8th Fire,http://www.cbc.ca/8thfire

VIDEOWabKinew inCBC’sThe8th Fire,http://www.cbc.ca/8thfire

Videoobtainedfrom:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmYu-Wppp3c


AgendaAHistoryoftheIndianActinFourPhases:◦ Origins◦ Assimilation◦ Transition◦ Today

TheIndianActin2016:◦ NineElements ofthe IndianAct◦ The IndianActasaGovernanceSystem◦ CommonMyths


TheIndianAct:Origins1755BritishCrownestablishesIndianDepartment◦Managedstrategicmilitaryalliances andoversawrelationswithFirstNations inBritishNorthAmerica

◦ PartoftheBritishempire’sglobalcolonizationeffort

1763RoyalProclamation◦ TheBritishCrownassertsunlimitedpoweroverFirstNationsandterritories inBritishNorthAmerica

◦ Establishes aformalprocessfortransferringFirstNations landstotheCrown

Origins Assimilation Transition TodayOriginsHERB GEORGE, SATSAN - APRIL24,2016

TheIndianAct:OriginsEarly1800sRelationshipinDecline◦ Decreasedneedformilitaryalliancespost-1812◦ Settlement expandswestward

1850 LegalDefinitionsofIndian andIndianLands◦ AnActfortheBetterProtectionoftheLandsandPropertyofIndiansinLowerCanada

◦ AnActfortheProtectionofIndiansinUpperCanadafromImposition,andthePropertyOccupiedorEnjoyedbythemfromTrespassandInjury

Origins Assimilation Transition TodayOrigins

ImageCredit:WoodlandCulturalCentrehttp://www.woodland-centre.on.ca


TheIndianAct:Origins1857AnActtoEncouragetheGradualCivilizationofIndianTribesandtoAmendtheLawRelatingtoIndians(AKATheGradualCivilizationAct).◦ Programofvoluntaryenfranchisementintendedtograduallyeliminate IndianStatus

1860 IndianLandsAct◦ Britaintransfersresponsibilities tocolonies


RobinsonTreaties(Red&Brown)signed1850http://ceu.architectureandplanning.dal.ca/pro-nstc.php


TheIndianAct:Origins1867BritishNorthAmericaAct(nowknowastheConstitutionAct)• Canadabecomesacountyand,bysection91(24),givestheParliamentofCanadatherighttobetheonlypowertomake lawsforAboriginalpeoplesandonreserve lands.

1869GradualEnfranchisementAct◦ Established theBandCouncilsystem


TheFathersofConfederation,1867http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications

/discover/section-06-images.asp


TheIndianAct:Civilization&Assimilation1876 IndianAct• AllfederalgovernmentpolicyregardingAboriginalpeoplesandreserve landswasbroughttogetherunderoneAct.• Philosophybasedonassimilation,positioningAboriginalpeoplesaswardsoftheCrown,andshiftingtherelationship outlined inthe1763RoyalProclamation

• KeyFeatures:CentralizedcontrolDefinedstatus,non-statusandMetisCompulsoryenfranchisementImposed localgovernanceIndividualpropertypossession overcommunal

Origins Assimilation Transition TodayAssimilationHERB GEORGE, SATSAN - APRIL24,2016

TheIndianAct:Civilization&AssimilationTheresidentialschoolsystemwaspartofasystematicpolicybytheCanadian governmenttoeliminatethedistinctculturesandlanguagesofAboriginalPeoplesandforciblyassimilatethepopulationintoEuro-Canadian society.◦ Childrenbetweentheagesof4-16attendedoneof139residentialschoolsacrossCanada

◦ Attendanceatresidentialschoolwasmademandatoryin1920◦ Over150,000FirstNation,Inuit,andMétischildrenareestimatedtohaveattendedIndianresidentialschool

◦ Thelastresidentialschool,inSaskatchewan,closedin1996 ImageCourtesy:NationalCentreforTruth&Reconciliation

http://nctr.ca/exhibitions.php


TheIndianAct:Civilization&AssimilationLate1800s◦ In1884and1885thePotlatch andSundance ceremonieswereoutlawedandceremonialobjectswereconfiscated - practicingone’sculturebecameacriminaloffence.

◦ In1885,thePassSystemrestrictedaccesstoandfromreserves

IwanttogetridoftheIndianproblem…Ourobjective istocontinueuntilthereisnotasingle IndianinCanadathathasnotbeenabsorbedintothebodypoliticandthereisnoIndianquestion,andnoIndianDepartment … (DuncanCampbell Scott1920)

DuncanCampbellScott


TheIndianAct:Civilization&Assimilation1927 IndianAct◦ RaisingmoneyforlegalcounselorhiringlawyerstofightforAboriginalrightsand/ortitlethroughthecourtsystembecomes illegal

ChiefPeterKellyoftheHaida Nation(asquotedinFoster2006:84):TheIndianshavenovoiceintheaffairsofthiscountry.TheyhavenotasolitarywayofbringinganythingbeforetheParliamentofthiscountry...Ifwepressforthatwearecalledagitators,simply agitators,troublemakers,whenwetrytogetwhatweconsidertobeourrights…ithastakenusbetweenfortyandfiftyyearstogetwherewearetoday…itmightbeanothercenturybeforeanewgenerationwillriseupandbegintopressthisclaim


TheIndianAct:InTransition,1952-20021951 IndianActamendments◦ AfterWWII,themostegregiousanddiscriminatoryelements oftheIndianActwereabandoned

◦ Afternearly25years,prohibitionsonculturalpracticesandceremonieswerelifted,alongwithprohibitionsonobtaininglegalcounsel

KeyFeatures◦ PowersoftheMinister◦ ChangestoIndianStatus◦ NewpowerstoBands◦ Expandedvotingrights◦ Introducedliquoroffence◦ AppliedprovinciallawtoAboriginalpeoples

Origins Assimilation Transition TodayTransitionHERB GEORGE, SATSAN - APRIL24,2016

TheIndianAct:InTransition,1952-2002Afterthe1951IndianAct,newapproachestoAboriginalPolicyemerged

1960Rightstothefederalvote(notintheIndianAct)◦ Priortothis,acquiringvotingrightsrequiredgivingupone’sstatus

1961Compulsoryenfranchisementprovisionsremoved

1969 StatementoftheGovernmentofCanadaonIndianPolicy◦ Alsoknowsimply as TheWhitePaper◦ Althoughultimately notadopted,the1969WhitePaperwas,andremains,amajorsetbackforAboriginal-Crownrelations


ExcerptfromCBC’sseriesCanada:APeople’sHistory,http://www.cbc.ca/history/

VIDEOExcerptfromCBC’sCanada:APeople’sHistory,http://www.cbc.ca/history/

Videoobtainedfromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Eb6hhnKObs


TheIndianAct:InTransition,1952-20021980– 2002KeyAmendments1985BillC-31◦ Re-instatesStatusandBandMembershippreviously lostthroughmarriage◦ Bandsgaincontrolovermembership lists

1988 Taxingonreserve landinterests1999 FirstNationsLandManagementAct◦ Optionalsteptowardsself-governance; replaces IndianActlandprovisionswiththosedeterminedbyFirstNations

2000Votingforoff-reservemembers


TheIndianAct:Today• Shift inrelationship fromrespectful accommodation/protection ofAboriginalsovereigntytofullscalecontrolandabsorption undertheColonialGovernment

• Residual assimilation and‘civilization’ policyatthecoreoftheIndianAct

• Long-termvisionandworldviewundernationhood heldpriortotheWarof1812islargelyreplaced byday-to-daysurvivalaswardsoftheCrown

• Traditional governancesystemsreplaced byIndianActmodel

• Long-term, intergenerational impacts

Origins Assimilation Transition TodayTodayHERB GEORGE, SATSAN - APRIL24,2016

TheIndianActin2016

TodaytheIndianActistherepositoryofthestrugglebetweenIndianpeoplesandcolonialandlater

Canadianpolicy-makersforcontrolofIndianpeoples’destinywithinCanada.Themarksofthatstrugglecan

beseeninalmosteveryoneofitsprovisions.

FinalReportoftheRoyalCommissiononAboriginalPeoples, Volume1,Chapter9,p.258.


TheIndianActin2016

1. EligibilityofAboriginalPeoplesandManagementofBandLists

2. ManagementofReserveLands

3. SurrenderofLands4. WillsandEstates

5. ManagementofBandMonies

6. Elections

7. PowersofChiefandCouncil

8. LegalRightsandStatus

9. EducationandSchools

Therearebasically9elementsoftheIndianAct:


1.EligibilityofAboriginalPeoplesandManagementofBandListsTheIndianAct outlineswhoisa“StatusIndian”

TheFederalGovernmentmaintainsanIndianRegister“inwhichshallberecordedthenameofeverypersonwhoisentitledtoberegisteredasanIndianundertheAct”(sec5.1).◦ Individualswithstatusareeligible forcertainwelfarebenefits, includinghealthcare,support forpost-secondary education,andcertaintaxexemptions

TheIndianRegisterisunderthesolecontroloftheFederalGovernment◦ 5.(3)TheRegistrarmayatanytimeaddtoordeletefromtheIndianRegisterthenameofanypersonwho,inaccordancewiththisAct,isentitledornotentitled,asthecasemaybe,tohavehisnameincludedintheIndianRegister.


1.EligibilityofAboriginalPeoplesandManagementofBandLists

StatusIndiansareviewedasWardsoftheCrown◦ Paternalisticapproachinplacesinceconfederation◦ Federalgovernmentassumescontroloverlegal identityofAboriginalPeoples

◦ Redefiningthisrelationship isanecessary steptocompletingconfederation

Inconstructing the legalconceptofStatusIndians, theFederalGovernment “tookanothergiantcolonizingstepforward,denyingFirstNations’ people thepowertodetermine, forthemselves, whobelonged totheircommunities” (Milloy 2010:10).

CanadianIndianStatusCardImageCourtesy:UBCIndigenousFoundationshttp://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/government-

policy/the-indian-act/indian-status.html


1.EligibilityofAboriginalPeoplesandManagementofBandLists

TheBandList ismanagedbyeithertheFederalGovernmentor bytheBand◦ Outlineswhois(andisnot)consideredamemberofaBand.◦ Carriesconsiderable implications suchas:whohastherighttovote,runinBandelections, andeffectively participate inthepoliticaleconomyofthecommunityoftheBand

◦ IndianStatusisnotnecessarily arequirementforBandmembership


2.ManagementofReserveLandsTheFederalGovernmentassertsownershipandauthorityoverreservelands.Thispowerislimited byafiduciaryresponsibility toactinthe interest ofaBand.◦ 18. (1)SubjecttothisAct,reservesareheldbyHerMajestyfortheuseandbenefitoftherespectivebandsforwhichtheyweresetapart,andsubjecttothisActandtothetermsofanytreatyorsurrender,theGovernorinCouncilmaydeterminewhetheranypurposeforwhichlandsinareserveareusedoraretobeusedisfortheuseandbenefitoftheband.

Section35(1)allowsfortheappropriationofreserve landswithoutagreement orconsentfromtheChiefandCouncilorcommunity:◦ 35. (1)WherebyanActofParliamentoraprovinciallegislatureHerMajestyinrightofaprovince,amunicipalorlocalauthorityoracorporationisempoweredtotakeortouselandsoranyinterestthereinwithouttheconsentoftheowner,thepowermay…beexercisedinrelationtolandsinareserveoranyinteresttherein.


2.ManagementofReserveLandsKeyConsiderationsManagement ofreserve lands ishighlycontrolledbytheFederalGovernment,fromownershipoverreservelandstoinfrastructuremaintenance andimprovements (amongothers).◦ Bandsgovernments areseverely limitedduetotheimposedauthorityoftheFederalGovernment inthese primaryareasofplanningandmanagement

Housing andCertificates ofPossessiononreserve lands issubject toapprovalbyboththeFederalGovernment andBandCouncils◦ 20. (1)NoIndianislawfullyinpossessionoflandinareserve unless,withtheapprovaloftheMinister,possessionofthelandhasbeenallottedtohimbythecounciloftheband.


3.SurrenderofLandsConfirmsthattheFederalGovernmentassertsownershipoverreservelandsIndividualcommunitymembers cannotownreserve landundertheIndianAct

Reserve landscanonlybesurrendered totheFederalGovernment:

o 37. (1)LandsinareserveshallnotbesoldnortitletothemconveyeduntiltheyhavebeenabsolutelysurrenderedtoHerMajestypursuanttosubsection38(1)bythebandforwhoseuseandbenefitincommonthereservewassetapart.

Remember:TheIndianActdealsonly withreserve lands,not traditional territories ortreatyterritories


4.WillsandEstatesWillsandestatesaresubjecttointerpretationandapprovalundertheIndianActTheFederalGovernmentassumes totalcontroloverwillsandestates◦ 42. (1)SubjecttothisAct,alljurisdictionandauthorityinrelationtomattersandcausestestamentary,withrespecttodeceasedIndians,isvestedexclusivelyintheMinisterandshallbeexercisedsubjecttoandinaccordancewithregulationsoftheGovernorinCouncil.

Landsonreservecannotbepassed down since theyareownedbytheFederalGovernment

Allwillsandestates aresubjecttoapprovalbytheMinister◦ 45. (3)NowillexecutedbyanIndianisofanylegalforceoreffectasadispositionofpropertyuntiltheMinisterhasapprovedthewilloracourthasgrantedprobatethereofpursuanttothisAct.


4.WillsandEstatesKeyConsiderationsAdirectrelationship betweenfamilies andtheMinister isrequired(particularlyaroundreserve landsandhousing).Forexample, intheabsenceofawill:◦ 49. ApersonwhoclaimstobeentitledtopossessionoroccupationoflandsinareservebydeviseordescentshallbedeemednottobeinlawfulpossessionoroccupationofthoselandsuntilthepossessionisapprovedbytheMinister.

Willsandestates aregenerallycomprised ofnon-propertypossessions, buteventhese aresubjecttore-interpretation andapprovalwithinthecontextofthe IndianAct.


5.ManagementofBandMoniesTheFederalGovernmentasserts controloverallBandfinances◦ 61. (1)IndianmoneysshallbeexpendedonlyforthebenefitoftheIndiansorbandsforwhoseuseandbenefitincommonthemoneysarereceivedorheld,andsubjecttothisActandtothetermsofanytreatyorsurrender,theGovernor inCouncilmaydeterminewhetheranypurposeforwhichIndianmoneysareusedoraretobeusedisfortheuseandbenefitoftheband.

TheFederalGovernmentalsoasserts controlindividual finances, forexample:o Section68 stipulatesthatiftheMinisterissatisfiedthatanindividualundertheIndianActis

separatedfromaspouseorcommon-lawpartnerorfamilybydesertingthemwithout sufficientcause,behavinginawayastojustifynot livingtogether,orbybeingimprisoned,then

o theMinistermayorderthatpaymentsofanyannuityorinterestmoneytowhichthat Indianisentitledshallbeappliedtothesupport ofthespouseorcommon-lawpartner orfamilyorboththespouseorcommon-lawpartnerandfamilyofthat Indian.


6.Elections“Inorderto‘assimilate’AboriginalPeoples,theIndianActgavethegovernmentthepowertooverridetraditionalmethodsofgovernance” andimposeaEuropeanmodelbasedonmajorityrule (Imai2007:4).

TheFederalGovernmentasserts controloverboththeelection process…◦ 74. (1)Wheneverhedeemsitadvisableforthegoodgovernmentofaband,theMinistermaydeclarebyorderthatafteradaytobenamedthereinthecounciloftheband,consistingofachiefandcouncillors,shallbeselectedbyelectionstobeheldinaccordancewiththisAct.


6.Elections

…andtheregularmeetings ofelected BandCouncil:◦ 80. TheGovernorinCouncilmaymakeregulationswithrespecttobandmeetingsandcouncilmeetingsand,withoutrestrictingthegeneralityoftheforegoing,maymakeregulationswithrespectto:(a) presidingofficersatsuchmeetings;(b) noticeofsuchmeetings;(c) thedutiesofanyrepresentativeoftheMinisteratsuchmeetings;and(d) thenumberofpersonsrequiredatsuchmeetingstoconstituteaquorum.


7.(Limited)PowersofChiefandCouncil81.(1)Thecouncilofabandmaymakeby-lawsnotinconsistentwiththisActorwithanyregulationmadebytheGovernorinCouncilortheMinister,foranyorallofthefollowingpurposes,namely,(a)toprovideforthehealthofresidentsonthereserveandtopreventthespreadingofcontagiousandinfectiousdiseases;(b)theregulationoftraffic;(c)theobservanceoflawandorder;(d)thepreventionofdisorderlyconductandnuisances;(e)theprotectionagainstandpreventionoftrespassbycattleandotherdomesticanimals,theestablishmentofpounds,theappointmentofpound-keepers,theregulationoftheirdutiesandtheprovisionforfeesandchargesfortheirservices;(f)theconstructionandmaintenanceofwatercourses,roads,bridges,ditches,fencesandotherlocalworks;(g)thedividingofthereserveoraportionthereofintozonesandtheprohibitionoftheconstructionormaintenanceofanyclassofbuildingsorthecarryingonofanyclassofbusiness,tradeorcallinginanyzone;(h)theregulationoftheconstruction, repairanduseofbuildings,whetherownedbythebandorbyindividualmembersoftheband;(i)thesurveyandallotmentofreservelandsamongthemembersofthebandandtheestablishmentofaregisterofCertificatesofPossessionandCertificatesofOccupationrelatingtoallotmentsandthesettingapartofreservelandsforcommonuse,ifauthoritythereforhasbeengrantedundersection60;

(j) thedestructionandcontrolofnoxiousweeds;

(k)theregulationofbee-keepingandpoultryraising;(l)theconstructionandregulationoftheuseofpublicwells,cisterns,reservoirsandotherwatersupplies;

(m)thecontrolorprohibitionofpublicgames,sports,races,athleticcontestsandotheramusements;(n)theregulationoftheconductandactivitiesofhawkers,peddlersorotherswhoenterthereservetobuy,sellorotherwisedealinwaresormerchandise;(o)thepreservation,protectionandmanagementoffur-bearinganimals,fishandothergameonthereserve;(p)theremovalandpunishmentofpersonstrespassingonthereserveorfrequentingthereserveforprohibitedpurposes;(p.1)theresidenceofbandmembersandotherpersonsonthereserve;(p.2)toprovidefortherightsofspousesorcommon-lawpartnersandchildrenwhore- sidewithmembersofthebandonthereservewithrespecttoanymatterinrelationtowhichthecouncilmaymakeby-lawsinrespectofmembersoftheband;(p.3)toauthorizetheMinistertomakepaymentsoutofcapitalorrevenuemoneystopersonswhosenamesweredeletedfromtheBandListoftheband;(p.4)tobringsubsection10(3)or64.1(2)in- toeffectinrespectoftheband;(q)withrespecttoanymatterarisingoutoforancillarytotheexerciseofpowersunderthissection;and(r)theimpositiononsummaryconvictionofafinenotexceedingonethousanddollarsorimprisonmentforatermnotexceedingthirtydays,orboth,forviolationofaby-lawmadeunderthissection.


7.(Limited)PowersofChiefandCouncilAlthoughChiefandCouncilcanmakeby-laws,theycan’tbeactedonuntiltheyareapprovedbytheMinisterundertheIndianAct;◦ AuthorityrestswiththeMinister andFederalGovernment.

81. (1)Thecouncilofabandmaymakeby-lawsnotinconsistentwiththisActorwithanyregulationmadebytheGovernorinCouncilortheMinister

TherearenostipulationsintheIndianActprovidingclearlinesofaccountabilityfromBandCouncilstothecommunity,onlytotheMinister.

UndertheIndianAct,thefederalgovernmenthasthepowertooverruledecisionsofChiefandCouncil.ButChiefandCouncilalsohavepowersthatcanbeexercisedwithoutinputfromthecommunity (Imai2007:1).


8.LegalRightsandStatusConsistentwiththepositionthatAboriginalPeoplesarewardsoftheCrownundertheIndianAct,certainrightsandstatusareabsentForthepurposesofparticipatinginbusinessesandcontract,thisleavestheBandinasituationwhereitmustlooktovariouscomplicatedbusinessmodelsandconsidertaxationimplications◦ 89. (1)SubjecttothisAct,therealandpersonalpropertyofanIndianorabandsituated

onareserveisnotsubjecttocharge,pledge,mortgage,attachment,levy,seizure,distressorexecutioninfavour orattheinstanceofanypersonotherthananIndianoraband.

◦ 90. (1)Forthepurposesofsections87and89,personalpropertythatwasa) purchasedbyHerMajestywithIndianmoneysormoneysappropriatedby

ParliamentfortheuseandbenefitofIndiansorbands,orb) giventoIndiansortoabandunderatreatyoragreementbetweenabandandHer

Majesty,shallbedeemedalwaystobesituatedonareserve.


9.EducationandSchoolsForchildren,lifeintheseschoolswaslonelyandalien.Buildingswerepoorlylocated,poorlybuilt,andpoorlymaintained.Thestaffwaslimitedin

numbers,oftenpoorlytrained,andnotadequatelysupervised.Manyschoolswerepoorlyheatedandpoorlyventilated,andthedietwasmeagreandofpoorquality.Disciplinewasharsh,anddailylifewas

highlyregimented.Aboriginallanguagesandculturesweredenigratedandsuppressed.

(TRCExecutiveSummary2015:3)


9.EducationandSchoolsToday,theIndianActstill requireschildrentoattendschool:◦ 116. (1)Subjecttosection117,everyIndianchildwhohasattainedtheageofsevenyearsshallattendschool.

◦ 116.(2)TheMinistermay:◦ (a)requireanIndianwhohasattainedtheageofsixyearstoattendschool;and◦ (b)requireanIndianwhobecomessixteenyearsofageduringtheschooltermtocontinuetoattendschooluntiltheendofthatterm.

Severalsections wererepealed in2014,includingMinisterial appointment oftruantofficersonreserves andprovisionsauthorizingagreements withreligiousorganizationstosupportschools forAboriginalchildren


TheIndianActasaGovernanceSystemTheIndianActisanoutdateddocument◦ Modernapproachestogovernancearenotmentioned

TheIndianActdoesnotmentionBandCouncilrelationshipswithoutsideinstitutions◦ NotBandAdministration, volunteerorganizations,businesses, political interestgroups,oranyothers

UndertheIndianAct,therearenomandatory reportingguidelines,nodirectionregardingengagingwithBandMembers,andno“accesstoinformation”provisions

TheIndianActislargelysilentonaccountability,excepttowardstheMinister

Thedivisionoflabormustcomplywithinthetop-downstructuresrequiredbytheIndianAct


BandGovernmentUndertheIndianActPrimeMinister&Cabinet

DepartmentofIndianAffairs

BandMembers

BandAdministrationChief&Council


GovernmentofCanada

PrimeMinister

PeopleofCanada

Parliament(HouseofCommonsandSenate) DepartmentsandAgencies


MythsabouttheIndianActEachStatusIndianhastherightto:◦ Freepost-secondary education;◦ Freehealthcare;and◦ Housing

TheIndianActisthesourceof:◦ Fishing,hunting,andgatheringrights,and◦ Otherrightsassociatedwithtraditionalterritories

TheIndianActdoesnotmakeusIndiansTheIndianActgrantsthesamerightsasotherCanadians


InConclusion

“TheIndianActresemblesabadlyfittingbootthatpinchesinallthewrongplacesandprovidesno

supportwhereitisneededthemost”

Frances AbeleLikeanill-fittingboot:Government,governanceand

managementsystems inthecontemporaryIndianAct


VIDEOExcerptfromTruthandReconciliationCommissionvideoseries,http://www.cbc.ca/history/

Videoobtainedfromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=244Nf0CSqEY


the indian act - asba.ab.ca · the indian act “the people who live under the indian act in canada...

Documents