21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality

Excerpt from the Author, Page 4-5:

“In my personal life as an Indigenous person I look for opportunities to build bridges of reconciliation by providing information about Indigenous peoples. My personal quest is to change the world, one person at a time. The continued interest in the article indicated to me that a book expanding the 21 things would provide a service to Canadians, and others, whoa re ready to learn about the Indian Act and its ramifications. This book is for people who want to walk with informed minds and hearts along the path to reconciliation. It is time to dismantle the Indian act once and for all – no further amendments, no more bandaging or tweaking of the Act. It will not be easy, but it can be done. In fact, it has been done by the Nisga’a Nation. The are a self-determining, self-governing, and, most importantly, self reliant. 

Some might say that getting rid of the Act will be like moving out of the frying pan and into the fire, as thought this is a bad thing. But I don’t agree. We can also thing about fire as a new opportunity. In Kwak’wala we have the term “i’tusto,” which means “to rise again.” Getting rid of the Indian Act will give First Nations, and Canada the nation state, the opportunity to rise again and to be stronger.

I hope you will join me in this quest to change the world one person at a time. I know that this book can contribute to that goal.” (4-5).

Please see the attached PDF for in an interview with Bob Joseph.

Book Jacket:

“Since its creation in 1876, the Indian Act has dictated and constrained the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples, and is at the root of many enduring stereotypes. Bob Joseph’s book comes at a key time in the reconciliation process, when awareness from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is at a crescendo. Joseph examines how Indigenous Peoples can return to self-government, self-determination, and self reliance – and why doing so would result in a better country for every Canadian. He dissects the complex issues around the Indian Act, and demonstrates why learning about its cruel and irrevocable legacy is vital for the country to move toward true reconciliation.”