The Indian Act of 1935 was a significant piece of legislation for Indigenous peoples in Canada. It consolidated and amended previous laws related to Indigenous peoples, and it remains in force to this day, although it has undergone several amendments since its original passage.
One of the main goals of the Indian Act was to assimilate Indigenous peoples into mainstream Canadian society. This was seen as necessary for the development of the country and the "advancement" of Indigenous peoples. To this end, the Act gave the government the authority to control many aspects of Indigenous life, including the management of reserves, the administration of justice, and the regulation of ceremonies and cultural practices.
One of the most controversial provisions of the Indian Act was the creation of a system of "status" for Indigenous people. Under this system, only those who were recognized as "status Indians" were entitled to certain rights and benefits, such as the right to live on a reserve and access to health and education services. The criteria for determining who was a "status Indian" were very narrow, and many Indigenous people were excluded from this classification.
The Indian Act also established the Indian Affairs branch of the government, which was responsible for implementing the Act and working with Indigenous communities. This branch was given a great deal of power and authority over Indigenous peoples, and it was often criticized for being paternalistic and lacking in transparency.
Over the years, the Indian Act has faced significant criticism from Indigenous people and their allies. Many have argued that it is a tool of colonization and oppression, and that it serves to disempower Indigenous peoples and undermine their cultural practices. Some have called for the Act to be repealed altogether, while others have argued that it should be amended to give Indigenous peoples more control over their own affairs.
In recent years, there have been some efforts to reform the Indian Act and address some of the issues that have been raised. In 2017, the government of Canada released an action plan to "renew the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples," which included a commitment to review and reform the Indian Act. However, much work remains to be done to address the ongoing impacts of the Act and to build a more equitable and respectful relationship between Indigenous peoples and the broader Canadian society.