The Indian Act was a law created by the Canadian government in 1876. It was the initiation of government control over first nations people and its aim was the assimilation them into Canadian (catholic, european) culture. This was the beginning of government recognized oppression of First Nations people across Canada. The oppression and abuse that followed this law destroyed the lives of many people, and is still affecting the lives of people today. The conditions of the law still hold power of first nations all across Canada, and make up a very large part of their identity as Canadians.
