Talks to abolish the Indian Act are heating up, but the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples says we must make sure they include off-reserve First Nations as well.
They say those living off-reserve have long been excluded, displaced, and denied recognition under the Act.
That’s left many being passed between governments who take no responsibility.
The Congress says we can’t replace the existing system with another discriminatory one that leaves them behind.
But they also want to make sure the new discussions don’t take away from the passage of Bill S-2.
It aims to amend the Act to address discrimination against women by ending the second generation cut-off rule.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is open to moving beyond the Indian Act, but that it must be done in partnership with First Nations.
That came at Monday’s First Nations-First Ministers meeting, after calls from Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew.
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