Canadian Indian Act

The Canadian Indian Act, first enacted in 1876, is a federal law governing Indigenous peoples in Canada, primarily Registered Indians and their bands. It defines their legal status, regulates Indian reserve land, and governs aspects like governance, cultural practices, and resource management. While intended to organize relations between the government and Indigenous communities, it has historically imposed colonial policies, including restrictions on cultural expression and governance. The Act has been amended over time, but it remains a foundational, though controversial, piece of legislation affecting Indigenous rights and self-determination in Canada.