Indian Register

The Indian Register is the official record of status Indians or registered Indians in Canada. Status Indians have rights and benefits that are not granted to non-status Indians, Inuit, or Métis, the chief benefits of which include the granting of reserves and of rights associated with them, an extended hunting season, a less restricted right to bear arms, an exemption from federal and provincial taxes on reserve, and more freedom in the management of gaming and tobacco franchises via less government interference and taxes.

Indigenous peoples
in Canada

History

In 1851 the colonial governments of British North America began to keep records of Indians and bands entitled to benefits under treaty. For 100 years, individual Indian agents made lists of members who belonged to each band. In 1951, the current Indian Register was established by amendment of the Indian Act, and the many band lists were combined into one.

In 1985, the Indian Act was amended again with the goal of restoring First Nations status to people who had lost it through discriminatory provisions of the Act, and to their children. Over 100,000 people who had lost their status in this way have since been added to the Register.

Indian status

The list is maintained by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Sole authority for determining who will be registered is vested in the post of Registrar.

Revocation of status

The discriminatory reasons for revoking status were:

  • marrying a man who was not a Status Indian
  • enfranchisement (until 1960, an Indian could vote in federal elections only by renouncing Indian status)
  • having a mother and paternal grandmother who did not have status before marriage (these people lost status at 21)
  • being born out of wedlock of a mother with status and a father without.

Documentary proof of Indian status

Since 1956 the Canadian federal government has issued an identity document to individuals who have status under the Indian Act.[1] Traditionally these documents have been used by Aboriginal Canadians to cross the border between Canada and the United States.[1]

Non-status Indians
Main article: Non-status Indian
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See also
Compare with
  • Blood quantum laws - the method of determining eligibility for treaty benefits in the United States

References
  1. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Frequently Asked Questions - Secure Certificate of Indian Status, 2012-04-24
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