The Indian Act

The Indian Act is a federal statute that pertains to Indian status, registration of bands, and the function of reserves. It was written in 1876 after the responsibility for First Nations shifted from Britain to Canada. The Indian Act was written with a assimilative nature as the Canadian government, like the British, held an ideology of a nation without Indians.

Throughout the years the Indian Act has received a variety of amendments and now has evolved into an act that attempts to allow natives to retain their culture and pursue a traditional life style.
Although the Indian Act has been reformed it still contains remnants of its oppressive nature. The government still reserves the right to classify who is an Indian, (a responsibility that should be left up to the First Nations), the government still classifies them as Indians despite the term being offensive (a more appropriate term would be First Nations), and the government excludes the rights of the Métis and Inuit people (this exclusion would be justified if these peoples had acts pertaining to their own rights, but they don't).

It is because of these flaws and ultimate inadequacy in protecting First Nations Rights that the Indian Act should be abolished and a new Act be written with the consultation of the First Nations. 

-Stephen