How did the Indian Act shape the Canada we know today? Explore three major provisions of the Act and articulate how these have shaped contemporary Canadian Society.

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The 1969 White Paper of the country of Canada, was released under the governance of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. A "white paper" under Canadian legislation is an authoritative report or proposal of a policy (Kerr). In 1969, the white paper proposed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the Minister of Indian Affairs, Jean Chretien, was regarding the assimilation of the indigenous people in Canada. The proposal was very enticing because it was said that the government's goal was to eliminate any unique status previously established to address the discrimination and inequality felt by the indigenous people in their land. The 1969 white paper was also said to provide freedom to the Indians with developing their own culture in harmony with other Canadians and with economic, legal, and social equality.
The Indian Act is a Canadian law that deals with the bands, status, and reserves of the Indians in Canada (Kelm and Smith). It was considered as invasive and unfair to the indigenous people or also called as aboriginal people. This law encourages the enfranchisement of the Indian people into Canadians recognized by society, but this comes with a price. Officials are the one who determines what the rights and benefits of the person are entitled to, based on the judgement of his moral character. This judgement of character was the deciding factor even for cases like whether a widow could keep her children after the death of her spouse, or if they will be able to keep their status. There was intense gender discrimination, and women did not have the same rights and privileges compared to men in society, with minimal control over how they would live their lives. Structure of the indigenous communities was imposed, replacing their traditional style of governance, and dictating the rights of the indigenous people to practice the culture and traditions. The regulation done by the government had standards that cover the day-to-day activities or involvement of an indigenous individual. The government promised the indigenous people, through legal papers and treaties that their freedom and claims to their land will be respected. The Indian Act underwent a series of amendments due to a lot of oppressive practices that are in this law. The aboriginals had issues with the invasive, discriminatory, imposition of the regulations made by the Canadians, though the amendments made were still a lot similar to the original, defeating the purpose of the people's request for change (The Indian Act).
The indigenous people were undergoing socio-economic difficulties such as poverty, high infant mortality when compared to Canadians, lower life expectancy, reduced levels of education (Mann). Aside from those that were mentioned, there were also racism, inequality, and discrimination in society targeting the First Nations. Because of the problems that are faced by the indigenous people, many assimilation measures were advocated to try and reach out to the disadvantaged indigenous people, thinking that the differences in culture and government were the reason behind the problems that they are facing when in reality the programs that are being forced to be implemented to the people are one of the reaso...