Is the Indian Act still in force today?

• A. It was repealed.
• B. It remains in force today.
• C. It was replaced by the First Nations Governance Act.
• D. It never existed.

Answer: (B)

The Indian Act remains in force today. It started long ago as a federal law to regulate matters like who is considered a registered Indian, band membership, and how reserves and band councils are governed. Over the years it has been amended many times, and there have been broad discussions and efforts to modernize or replace parts of it, especially as some Indigenous communities pursue self-government and modern treaties. But the Act itself has not been repealed or fully replaced, so its provisions still shape many aspects of life on reserves and for status Indians.