Who is a Status Indian and why does it matter?
A Status Indian is a person registered with the Canadian federal government under the Indian Act. Status Indians are also called registered Indians. People have to apply for Indian status – it’s not automatic. Whether a person can get Indian status depends on several things. The main one is evidence that they descended from Aboriginal people who the Canadian government recognizes as status Indians or who have the right to be status Indians. Status Indians may get various rights and benefits for on-reserve housing, health, and education, as well as tax exemptions. Indian status is not the same as band membership, which depends on who controls the band’s membership list: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada or the band. For more information about getting Indian status and band membership, see the website of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, at www.ainc-inac.gc.ca. How does criminal law differ for Aboriginals? Canada’s Criminal Code applies to all offences, both on and off reserve. The se
