Indian Act Amendment

Summary

Under this programme, the Superintendent-General was able to issue loans of up to $350,000 for the purchase of agricultural tools or seed, live stock, fishing supplies, or handicraft materials. The Superintendent-General was also given the power to issue prospecting and mining leases on reserve lands without a land surrender.

Implications

The amendment allowing the release of reserve lands without a land surrender negates treaty obligations that reserve lands were to remain with Indigenous communities, and that any land surrender was to be negotiated before proceeding.

Sources

CP, House of Commons Debates, 3 Sess., 18 Parl., 1938, Vol. IV, p. 3510: Indian Act Amendment (Bill 138) -- 2nd reading, 3 June 1938.

Sub Event

Creation of Revolving Loan Fund, Superintendent-General Power to Grant Mining Leases

Resources

Statutes of Canada

Mining North America: An Environmental History Since 1522

Date

1938-00-00

Theme(s)

Federal Governance

Indian Act