The Inconvenient Indian

The Inconvenient Indian

by

Thomas King

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Inconvenient Indian makes teaching easy.
The Indian Act of 1876 is a law passed by the Canadian Government that defines which individuals are legally recognized as Native people and authorized to receive government resources. The act also outlines policies and regulations to control the lives of “Status” Natives, or individuals that the Canadian government legally recognizes as Native. The Indian Act still determines which Natives qualify for government resources, though various amendments have passed over the years that change the requirements an individual needs to qualify for Status.
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Indian Act of 1876 Term Timeline in The Inconvenient Indian

The timeline below shows where the term Indian Act of 1876 appears in The Inconvenient Indian. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3. Too Heavy to Lift
History and Mythology   Theme Icon
Racism and Systemic Oppression  Theme Icon
Sovereignty  Theme Icon
...“Status Indians” in Canada, who are registered as Indians under the terms outlined in the Indian Act . According to the 2006 census, there are 565,000 Status Indians living in Canada, though... (full context)
History and Mythology   Theme Icon
Racism and Systemic Oppression  Theme Icon
Land  Theme Icon
Sovereignty  Theme Icon
In Canada, a Legal Indian is defined in the Indian Act of 1876. Beyond defining the designation, the act also outlines how to control the lives... (full context)
Chapter 4. One Name to Rule Them All
History and Mythology   Theme Icon
Racism and Systemic Oppression  Theme Icon
Land  Theme Icon
Sovereignty  Theme Icon
...with the Cherokee nation. Canada would fashion laws of their own in 1876 with the Indian Act . (full context)
Chapter 8. What Indians Want
Land  Theme Icon
Sovereignty  Theme Icon
...is legally recognized in treaties, in both the Canadian and American constitutions, and in the Indian Act . In practice, however, it remains a controversial subject.  (full context)
History and Mythology   Theme Icon
Racism and Systemic Oppression  Theme Icon
Land  Theme Icon
Sovereignty  Theme Icon
...to be “rescued from reserves and reservations,” and from pieces of legislation, such as the Indian Act , that give tribes authority. The logic goes that tribes are “obsolete” and broken systems,... (full context)
History and Mythology   Theme Icon
Racism and Systemic Oppression  Theme Icon
Land  Theme Icon
Sovereignty  Theme Icon
...Aboriginal Nation is determined by federal law, blood quantum, and tribal regulations. In Canada, the Indian Act and other treaties set the terms required for band membership. In the U.S., membership depends... (full context)
History and Mythology   Theme Icon
Racism and Systemic Oppression  Theme Icon
Land  Theme Icon
Sovereignty  Theme Icon
...membership, whether that means raising or lowering requirements. In Canada, authenticity is defined by the Indian Act , and there is no alternate way to create new Status Indians outside of birth.... (full context)