III.

Reforms Since 1951

After World War II (1939-1945) Canadians developed a new awareness about Indians. They noticed, for example, that Indian men had served admirably in the Canadian army during World War II. They also considered a federal report that showed that most of Canada’s aboriginal peoples were living in poverty. Canadians became more concerned about the ways the government violated the rights of Indians. In response, Parliament decided to remove objectionable and outdated provisions from the Indian Act. After four years of review by a special parliamentary committee, with advice from Indian leaders, Parliament reworked the act in 1951.

The changes generally reduced the control federal agents had on reserves, giving a measure of self-government to Indian bands. Parliament removed the controversial section of the act banning potlatches and Sun Dances. It also took out the rules prohibiting Indian people from consuming alcohol or leaving their reserve without permission. In addition, Parliament lifted some restrictions on Indian trade.

The government continued to amend the Indian Act after it was reworked in 1951. By 1962 Indians had the right to vote in federal and provincial elections. In 1985 the law was changed so that Indians could no longer be forced to give up their Indian status, and Indian women who married non-Indian men no longer automatically lost their Indian status. In the 1980s and 1990s amendments gave bands more self-government, including some control over deciding who was entitled to band membership and could live on their reserves. Despite these changes, the act remained similar to the original act.