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The criteria for Status Indians
4-05-2017
Since September, we’ve focused on Canada’s First Nations. My original purpose was to explain how BC’s new school curriculum integrated Aboriginal history, culture, and knowledge. As a teacher, I’ve taught the “First Nation’s Unit” many times and thought I was doing it justice by being respectful to the past. But as I research for this column, I realize how little I understand the present life of people with indigenous ancestry. Colonialism, one-sided treaties, forced relocations, compulsory residential schools, wide-scale child apprehensions, and other grievous wrongs are not ancient past – they live in the hearts and personal memories of over 1.5 million native Canadians. As a group they are determined to restore a sense of pride and reverence towards their rightful status as Canada’s First Peoples.
In fact “status” is another word that has different meanings depending on whether you are Aboriginal or not. The common definition is a “ranking of social, professional, or other standing of someone or something” – prestige. For a First Nations person “status” indicates whether or not the federal government recognizes your Aboriginal heredity and allows you to register as a “Status Indian”. For me, even using the word “Indian” for indigenous people is a dilemma – it remains the legal designation, but it also a term imposed on people who do not identify themselves by that word.
Canada’s Indian Act defines who is and who is not an “Indian” along with what rights they have. Written in 1876, the Indian Act covers governance, land use, health care and education for Status Indians. The criteria for determining status is convoluted. The implicit goal was assimilation and, like so many paternalistic policies, to “take the Indian out of them”. As they became “civilized” they would lose their status and be “enfranchised” into mainstream society. A woman with status who married a non-status man would lose her status as would their children. Anyone with status who served in the military, attended university, or become a professional such as a doctor or lawyer would also lose status as they had successfully “moved beyond their past”. Furthermore, although indigenous to Canada, Metis and Inuit peoples were not allowed to claim status. In 1985, significant revisions paved the way for people to restore status. Nevertheless, in the 2011 census only 637,660 people reported being Registered Indians. More than half of the people who claim Aboriginal heritage are not officially recognized.
But aren’t there benefits of having status? Misconceptions about the supposedly rich rewards that First Nations people enjoy hide their reality. Here are some of the main myths debunked and facts explained.
Myth: Indians don’t pay taxes. Status Indians have the same personal income tax rules as all Canadians unless their job is located on a reserve – then that income is exempt. Likewise, goods bought on or delivered to a reserve are not taxed for buyers who are registered. 2011 census data shows that about half of Status Indians, 315,000 people, live on reserves. This is less than 1% of Canada’s 35 million people. Furthermore, non-status Indians have no tax exemptions.
Myth: Indians get free university education. The federal government does provide some money to encourage Aboriginal people to enhance their education. Just like applying for any scholarship or bursary, there are criteria to be met and more people apply than receive support resulting in long waitlists. There is also no guarantee that if you receive support one year that you will continue to get funding for the completion of your program.
Myth: Indians get free health care. There is a program for Status Indians that provides limited coverage for medically necessary goods and services not covered by other plans or programs such as MSP. These include basic vision and dental care similar to what low income families receive.
Myth: Treaties mean Indians and Band Councils rake in large amounts of cash annually. Treaties are one of the most contentious issues among First Nations group and the Crown. Since 1973, twenty land claims have been settled involving nearly 100 different First Nations groups and over 4 million square kilometers of land for a total of $2 billion. This works out to be about $500 per kilometer. Status Indians covered by treaties also receive a grand total of $5 each per year. This amount was established over 100 years ago with no adjustment for inflation.
I realize that the majority of Al Ameen readers have no personal connection to the struggles of Canada’s First Nations. But, as we enter a political climate where people are targeted and judged based on their ancestry and cultural heritage, we all need to be aware of the policies and procedures the government has implemented both historically and currently against our fellow countrymen and women.
Zainab Dhanani can be reached at z_dhanani@yahoo.ca
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