Through an analysis of thirty-five sources pertaining to the Indian Act—addressing governance, gender, enfranchisement, and land—the authors provide readers with a much better understanding of this pivotal piece of legislation, as well as insight into the dynamics involved in its creation and maintenance.

Maps 1 to 7Introduction 1. The 1876 Indian Act1.1 Indian Act of 1876, Sections 1-31.2 Selections of House of Commons Debates on the Indian Act, 18761.3 Report of Proceedings of the Ojibway Grand Council Relative to the Indian Act, 18761.4 “Grand Indian Council of the Province of Ontario,” Wiarton Echo, 18761.5 Memorial from Chiefs and Warriors of the Six Nations to J.A. Macdonald, 18791.6 Interview with Vern Harper, 19831.7 Interview with Adam Solway, 1983 2. Governance2.1 Indian Act of 1876, Sections 61-63, Council and Chiefs2.2 Amendment to the Indian Act, 18802.3 Indian Advancement Act, 18842.4 Declaration of Crop Eared Wolf as Chief, 19002.5 Letter from Indian Agent R.N. Wilson to Indian Commissioner David Laird, 19082.6 “The New Story of the Iroquois by Chief Des-ka-heh,” 19252.7 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1985 3. Enfranchisement3.1 Indian Act of 1876, Sections 86-943.2 Selections from Minutes of Grand Council of Chippewas, 18743.3 Memo on Enfranchisement3.4 Evidence of D.C. Scott to the Special Committee of the House of Commons, 19203.5 Indian Act Amendment, 19203.6 A.G. Chisholm, “The Case of the Six Nations,” London Free Press, 20 March 19203.7 Letter from F.O. Loft to James Lougheed, 9 February 1921 4. Gender4.1 Indian Act of 1876, Section 34.2 Amendment to the Indian Act, 19854.3 “Commutation of Annuity of Rosalie Howse née Ermineskin,” 18914.4 Mavis Goeres, Enough is Enough4.5 Manitoba Justice Inquiry, “Cultural Changes—the Impact upon Aboriginal Women”4.6 Excerpts from the “Reasons for Judgement,” McIvor v. The Registrar, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada4.7 Indigenous Bar Association in Canada, “Position Pater on Bill C-3” 5. Land5.1 The Indian Act of 1876, Sections 4-10, 25-28, and 59-605.2 An Act Respecting the Songhees Indian Reserve, 19115.3 “Last Chapter in Problem,” Daily Colonist, 17 March 19115.4 Memorandum for the Prime Minister on an Act to Amend the Indian Act5.5 An Act to Amend the Indian Act (the Oliver Act), 19115.6 Letter from Chiefs Hill et al to Governor General Grey, May 19115.7 Letter from J.D. McLean to Chiefs Hill et al, May 19115.8 Lee Maracle, “Good-bye Snauq.” Appendix A: Reading HistoricallyAppendix B: The Indian Act in Historical Context Timeline

"Putting the Indian Act under the microscope, this is an outstanding resource for teaching historical thinking, critical reading skills and for learning about the legal structure of settler colonialism. At this time of Reconciliation every Canadian should know about the history and legacy of the Indian Act, the most important Canadian legislation affecting Indigenous people. Archaic as it is, it remains in force today."