Page 40 - Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework

• Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework
Indian Act. Federal legislation that regulates Indians and reserves and sets out certain federal government powers and responsibilities towards First Nations and their reserved lands. The first Indian Act was passed in 1876, although there were a number of pre- and post-Confederation enactments with respect to Indians and reserves prior to 1876. Since then, the act has undergone numerous amendments, revisions, and re-enactments. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development administers the act.
Inuit. Aboriginal people in northern Canada, living mainly in Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, northern Quebec, and Labrador. Ontario has
a very small Inuit population. The Inuit are not covered by the Indian Act. The federal government has entered into several major land claim settle- ments with the Inuit.
Métis people. People of mixed First Nation and European ancestry. The Métis history and culture draws on diverse ancestral origins, such as Scottish, Irish, French, Ojibwe, and Cree.
Reserve. Lands set aside by the federal government for the use and benefit of a specific band or First Nation. The Indian Act provides that this land cannot be owned by individual band or First Nation members.
Traditional lands. Lands used and occupied by First Nations before European contact or the assertion of British sovereignty.
Treaty. A formal agreement between the Crown and Aboriginal peoples.
Treaty rights. Rights specified in a treaty. Rights to hunt and fish in traditional territory and to use and occupy reserves are typical treaty rights. This concept can have different meanings depending on the context and perspective of the user.
Tribal council. A body that typically represents a group of First Nations to facilitate the administration and delivery of local services to their members.
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