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How Does The Indian Act Affect Canada?

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The Indian Act passed in 1876, and amended countless times, in its present state, is a portrayal of the complicated and problematic relationship between First Nations and Canadian Society, distinguished through power imbalances, historical injustices and problems, and current inequalities. Through its many conditions, laws, and arrangements, The Indian Act portrays paternalistic control, giving the Canadian government power and control over Indigenous peoples and communities. Further causing discrimination, and alienation, along with current and ongoing inequalities and power imbalances, further demanding reconciliation. The Indian Act passed in 1876, was an oppressive way to gain control of Indigenous people and Land and further assimilate …show more content…

“The Indian Act was (and many would say, continues to be) a discriminatory piece of legislation”, this quote from (Government of Canada, Department of Justice, 2023), shows how the Indian Act to this day is still very discriminatory, and still affects Indigenous communities today, the name “Indian” was a derogatory term used when creating this act who is still used today, proving the discrimination they still face today through government. Going back to the discrimination through the justice system, an example, many Indigenous people go through something called “systemic discrimination”, which is Indigenous overrepresentation in the Canadian Justice system, the cause of this among many other things is the Indian Act, Indigenous people are more likely to be policed aggressively, brought before the court and detained more than non-indigenous individuals, These are all due to failed attempts to amend certain parts of the Indian Act, which still portrays superiority over Indigenous communities, such as limitations in granting Indian status, the discrimination and stereotypes that were shown during the now affect them through justice systems, “Systemic discrimination, and negative stereotypes result in more indigenous people being arrested, charged, and entering the criminal justice system”, this quote from, (Government of

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