Why was the Indian act important?

Answer 1

The Indian Act is a legal document and a set of laws that was first passed by the Canadian Government in 1876 and is still enforced today. This set of laws gave the government complete control over the lives of Aboriginal peoples. Historically, control over Aboriginals had been a British responsibility, which was then passed to Canada. Once the fur trade ended, Aboriginal peoples had no role to play, and they became a barrier to government plans for the settlement of western Canada. The Government called it the Indian problem. The government responded to this "problem" by creating the Indian Act which had to objectives: 1. Control over Aboriginal peoples. Aboriginal peoples couldn't leave reserves, own land, or do business without permission. 2. Assimilation. Eventually Aboriginal peoples were to enfranchise and receive all the benefits of any other Canadian).

The Indian Act:

• placed complete control over Aboriginal politics, culture, education, and personal lives in the hands of the federal government
• established rules that dictated who was Indian and who was not (status/non-status)
• located all financial control of Aboriginal peoples with the federal government
• did not allow Aboriginal people to own land
• forced a new form of education on Aboriginal peoples
• did not allow aboriginal people to vote in a federal election until 1960

Some Pro's

The Indian Act is the only government document to recognize Aboriginal peoples. Without it, aboriginal peoples would not have any special status. It allows for certain rights including health services, education, subsidized housing and exemption from certain taxes but all in exchange for land and other rights. Some amendments have been made to the Indian Act including lifting of the ban on ceremonies and fundraising, permission to vote, Bill C-31 to re-establish some Aboriginal peoples' status.

Answer 2

Cause it ain't yours dickhed take off

Answer 3

because it is very inprtant