CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html>   <html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr">  <head> <meta charset="utf-8" />  <title>Indian Act</title> <meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" name="viewport" />  <meta name="description" content="Federal laws of Canada" /> <meta name="dcterms.title" content="Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Indian Act" /> <meta name="dcterms.creator" title="Department of Justice" content="Legislative Services Branch" /> <meta name="dcterms.issued" title="W3CDTF" content="2019-08-15" /> <meta name="dcterms.modified" title="W3CDTF" content="2019-08-15" /> <meta name="dcterms.subject" title="scheme" content="Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Indian Act" /> <meta name="dcterms.language" title="ISO639-2" content="eng" /> <meta property="dcterms:accessRights" content="2" /> <meta property="dcterms:service" content="JUS-Laws_Lois" />   <link href="/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/favicon.ico" rel="icon" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/theme-gcwu-fegc/css/theme.css" />   <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/browse.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/lawContent.css?v=2"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/commonView.css?v=2"> <script src="//assets.adobedtm.com/be5dfd287373/bb72b7edd313/launch-e34f760eaec8.min.js"></script> <noscript><link rel="stylesheet" href="/wet-boew/css/noscript.css" /></noscript> </head> <body vocab="http://schema.org/" typeof="WebPage"> <ul id="wb-tphp"> <li class="wb-slc"> <a class="wb-sl" href="#wb-cont">Skip to main content</a> </li> <li class="wb-slc visible-sm visible-md visible-lg"> <a class="wb-sl" href="#wb-info">Skip to "About this site"</a> </li> <li class="wb-slc visible-md visible-lg"> <a class="wb-sl" href="#wb-sec">Skip to section menu</a> </li> </ul> <header> <div id="wb-bnr"> <div id="wb-bar"> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <img id="gcwu-sig" src="/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/sig-en.svg" alt="Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada"> <ul id="gc-bar" class="list-inline"> <li><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/index.html" rel="external">Canada.ca</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/services/index.html" rel="external">Services</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/government/dept.html" rel="external">Departments</a></li> <li id="wb-lng"><h2>Language selection</h2> <ul class="list-inline"> <li><a lang="fr" href="/scripts/changelanguage.asp">Français</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <section class="wb-mb-links col-xs-12 visible-sm visible-xs" id="wb-glb-mn"> <h2>Search and menus</h2> <ul class="pnl-btn list-inline text-right"> <li><a href="#mb-pnl" title="Search and menus" aria-controls="mb-pnl" class="overlay-lnk btn btn-sm btn-default" role="button"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-search"><span class="glyphicon glyphicon-th-list"><span class="wb-inv">Search and menus</span></span></span></a></li> </ul> <div id="mb-pnl"></div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div id="wb-sttl" class="col-md-5"> <a href="http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca"> <span>Justice Laws Website</span> </a> </div> <img id="wmms" src="/theme-gcwu-fegc/assets/wmms.svg" alt="Symbol of the Government of Canada"> <section id="wb-srch" class="visible-md visible-lg"> <h2>Search</h2> <form class="form-inline" role="search" action="https://www.canada.ca/en/sr/srb.html" method="get"> <div id="gcwu-srchbx-in"> <label for="wb-srch-q">Search website</label> <input name="st" type="hidden" value="s"> <input name="num" type="hidden" value="10"> <input name="s5bm3ts21rch" type="hidden" value="x"> <input name="st1rt" type="hidden" value="0"> <input name="langs" type="hidden" value="eng"> <input name="cdn" type="hidden" value="canada"> <input name="q" class="form-control" id="wb-srch-q" type="search" size="27" maxlength="150" value=""> <button class="btn btn-default" id="wb-srch-sub" type="submit">Search</button> </div> </form> </section> </div> </div> </div>  <nav id="wb-sm" data-ajax-replace="/ajax/sitemenu-en.html" data-trgt="mb-pnl" class="wb-menu visible-md visible-lg" typeof="SiteNavigationElement"> <div class="container nvbar"> <h2>Topics menu</h2> <div class="row"> <ul class="list-inline menu"> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fl-df/index.html">Family Law</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/index.html">Criminal Justice</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/index.html">Funding</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/">Canada's System of Justice</a></li> <li><a href="https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/">Laws</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav>  <nav id="wb-bc" property="breadcrumb"> <h2>You are here:</h2> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <ol class="breadcrumb"><li><a href="http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng">Home</a></li><li><a href="/eng">Laws Website Home</a></li><li><a href="/eng/acts/">Consolidated Acts</a></li><li><a href="index.html"><abbr title='Revised Statutes of Canada'>R.S.C.</abbr>, 1985, c. I-5 -  Table of Contents</a></li> <li><abbr title='Revised Statutes of Canada'>R.S.C.</abbr>, 1985, c. I-5</li></ol> </div> </div> </nav> </header>  <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <main property="mainContentOfPage" class="col-md-9 col-md-push-3"> <div class='legisHeader'><header><h1 id='wb-cont' class='HeadTitle'>Indian Act (<abbr title='Revised Statutes of Canada'>R.S.C.</abbr>, 1985, c. I-5)</h1><div id='printAll'><p id='FullDoc'>Full Document:  </p><ul><li><a href='FullText.html'>HTML<span class='wb-invisible'>Full Document: Indian Act</span></a> (Accessibility Buttons available) | </li><li><a href='/eng/XML/I-5.xml'>XML<span class='wb-invisible'>Full Document: Indian Act</span></a> <span class='fileSize'>[284 KB]</span> | </li> <li><a href='/PDF/I-5.pdf'>PDF<span class='wb-invisible'>Full Document: Indian Act</span></a> <span class='fileSize'>[580 KB]</span></li></ul></div><div class='info'><p id='assentedDate'>Act current to 2025-01-22 and <a href='index.html#hist'>last amended</a> on 2019-08-15. <a href='PITIndex.html'>Previous Versions</a></p></div></header><div class='lineSeparator goldLineTop'></div></div><div class='docContents' id='docCont'> <nav><div class="btn-group btn-group-justified"><a rel="prev" class="btn btn-default" role="button" href="page-2.html#docCont" >Go to full page</a><a id="right-panel-trigger" class="overlay-lnk btn btn-default" role="button" href="index.html" aria-controls="right-panel">Table of Contents</a></div></nav><div class="wb-txthl"><section> <p class="MarginalNote"><span class="wb-invisible">Marginal note:</span>Band Lists</p><p class="Section" id="331880"><strong><a class="sectionLabel" id="s-8"><span class="sectionLabel">8</span></a></strong> There shall be maintained in accordance with this Act for each band a Band List in which shall be entered the name of every person who is a member of that band.</p><div class="HistoricalNote"><ul class="HistoricalNote"><li class="HistoricalNoteSubItem">R.S., 1985, c. I-5, s. 8</li><li class="HistoricalNoteSubItem"> R.S., 1985, c. 32 (1st Supp.), s. 4</li></ul></div> </section></div> </div>  <section id="right-panel" class="wb-overlay modal-content overlay-def wb-panel-l"><header class="modal-header"><h2 class="modal-title">Table of Contents</h2></header><div class="modal-body"><nav> <ul class="TocIndent"> <li><a title="Page 1" href="page-1.html"> Indian Act</a><ul class="TocIndent"><li><span class='sectionRange'>1 - </span><a href="page-1.html#h-331716"><span class="HTitleText1">Short Title</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>2 - </span><a href="page-1.html#h-331721"><span class="HTitleText1">Interpretation</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>3 - </span><a href="page-1.html#h-331767"><span class="HTitleText1">Administration</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>4 - </span><a href="page-1.html#h-331775"><span class="HTitleText1">Application of Act</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>5 - </span><a href="page-1.html#h-331794"><span class="HTitleText1">Definition and Registration of Indians</span></a> <ul class="TocIndent"><li> <span class='sectionRange'>5 - </span><a href="page-1.html#h-331795"><span class="HTitleText2">Indian Register</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>8 - </span><a href="page-2.html#h-331879"><span class="HTitleText2">Band Lists</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>14 - </span><a href="page-3.html#h-331990"><span class="HTitleText2">Notice of Band Lists</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>14.1 - </span><a href="page-3.html#h-332000"><span class="HTitleText2">Inquiries</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>14.2 - </span><a href="page-3.html#h-332005"><span class="HTitleText2">Protests</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>15 - </span><a href="page-3.html#h-332048"><span class="HTitleText2">Payments in Respect of Persons Ceasing To Be Band Members</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>17 - </span><a href="page-3.html#h-332062"><span class="HTitleText2">New Bands</span></a> </li></ul> </li><li><span class='sectionRange'>18 - </span><a href="page-4.html#h-332074"><span class="HTitleText1">Reserves</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>20 - </span><a href="page-4.html#h-332093"><span class="HTitleText1">Possession of Lands in Reserves</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>30 - </span><a href="page-4.html#h-332153"><span class="HTitleText1">Trespass on Reserves</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>34 - </span><a href="page-4.html#h-332173"><span class="HTitleText1">Roads and Bridges</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>35 - </span><a href="page-4.html#h-332181"><span class="HTitleText1">Lands Taken for Public Purposes</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>36 - </span><a href="page-5.html#h-332193"><span class="HTitleText1">Special Reserves</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>37 - </span><a href="page-5.html#h-332199"><span class="HTitleText1">Surrenders and Designations</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>42 - </span><a href="page-5.html#h-332252"><span class="HTitleText1">Descent of Property</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>45 - </span><a href="page-5.html#h-332280"><span class="HTitleText1">Wills</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>47 - </span><a href="page-5.html#h-332303"><span class="HTitleText1">Appeals</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>48 - </span><a href="page-5.html#h-332308"><span class="HTitleText1">Distribution of Property on Intestacy</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>51 - </span><a href="page-6.html#h-332365"><span class="HTitleText1">Mentally Incompetent Indians</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>52 - </span><a href="page-6.html#h-332382"><span class="HTitleText1">Guardianship</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>52.1 - </span><a href="page-6.html#h-332387"><span class="HTitleText1">Money of Infant Children</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>53 - </span><a href="page-6.html#h-332427"><span class="HTitleText1">Management of Reserves and Surrendered and Designated Lands</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>61 - </span><a href="page-7.html#h-332498"><span class="HTitleText1">Management of Indian Moneys</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>70 - </span><a href="page-8.html#h-332586"><span class="HTitleText1">Loans to Indians</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>71 - </span><a href="page-8.html#h-332605"><span class="HTitleText1">Farms</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>72 - </span><a href="page-8.html#h-332613"><span class="HTitleText1">Treaty Money</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>73 - </span><a href="page-8.html#h-332618"><span class="HTitleText1">Regulations</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>74 - </span><a href="page-8.html#h-332641"><span class="HTitleText1">Elections of Chiefs and Band Councils</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>81 - </span><a href="page-9.html#h-332720"><span class="HTitleText1">Powers of the Council</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>87 - </span><a href="page-9.html#h-332811"><span class="HTitleText1">Taxation</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>88 - </span><a href="page-9.html#h-332823"><span class="HTitleText1">Legal Rights</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>91 - </span><a href="page-10.html#h-332849"><span class="HTitleText1">Trading with Indians</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>93 - </span><a href="page-10.html#h-332867"><span class="HTitleText1">Removal of Materials from Reserves</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>94 to 100 - </span><a href="page-10.html#h-332877"><span class="HTitleText1">Offences, Punishment and Enforcement</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>109 to 113 - </span><a href="page-10.html#h-332926"><span class="HTitleText1">Enfranchisement</span></a> </li> <li><span class='sectionRange'>114 - </span><a href="page-10.html#h-332928"><span class="HTitleText1">Schools</span></a> </li></ul> </li></ul> </nav> </div></section> <form class='form-inline goToSection' action='/scripts/gotopage.asp' method='post'><div class='nextPreviousBtnAlign selectTop'><select title='Select page' name='selectPage' class='navSelect'><option value='index'>Table of Contents</option><option value='page-1'>1 ... 5</option><option value='page-2' selected='selected'>6 ... 11</option><option value='page-3'>12 ... 17</option><option value='page-4'>18 ... 35</option><option value='page-5'>36 ... 48</option><option value='page-6'>49 ... 57</option><option value='page-7'>58 ... 68</option><option value='page-8'>69 ... 79</option><option value='page-9'>80 ... 88</option><option value='page-10'>89 ... 116</option><option value='page-11'>117 ... 122</option><option value='rpdc'>Related Provisions</option><option value='hist'>Previous Amendments</option></select><input class="button-accent" type='submit' value='Go to page' /><input type='hidden' name='folder' value='I-5'/><input type='hidden' name='type' value='acts' /><input type='hidden' name='language' value='eng'/></div></form> <dl id="wb-dtmd"> <dt>Date modified: </dt> <dd><time property="dateModified">2025-02-13</time></dd> </dl> </main> <nav id="wb-sec" typeof="SiteNavigationElement" class="col-md-3 col-md-pull-9 visible-md visible-lg"> <h2>Section menu</h2> <ul class="list-group menu list-unstyled"><li> <h3 class="wb-navcurr">Constitutional Documents</h3> <ul class="list-group menu list-unstyled"> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/Const/page-12.html">Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/Const/Const_index.html">Consolidation of Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/ConstRpt/Const_index.html">Consolidation of Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982 <br>(1990 Report version) </a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/constitution/lawreg-loireg/index.html">French Constitutional Drafting Committee (1990)</a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3 class="wb-navcurr">Laws</h3> <ul class="list-group menu list-unstyled">  <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/acts/">Consolidated Acts</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/regulations/" title="Consolidated Regulations and Orders">Consolidated Regulations</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/AnnualStatutes/index.html">Annual Statutes</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/Reports/">Statutes Repeal Act: Reports, Deferrals and Repeals</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/MSLA/">Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Program</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/Corrections/">Typographical and Grammatical Corrections</a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3 class="wb-navcurr">New Layout</h3> <ul class="list-group menu list-unstyled"> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/PDF/">New Layout for Legislation</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/survey.html">Accessibility Buttons </a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3 class="wb-navcurr">Search</h3> <ul class="list-group menu list-unstyled"> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/Search/Search.aspx" title="Search - Justice Laws Website">Basic Search</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/Search/Advanced.aspx" title="Advanced Search - Justice Laws Website">Advanced Search</a></li>  </ul> </li> <li> <h3 class="wb-navcurr">Resources</h3> <ul class="list-group menu list-unstyled"> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/TablePublicStatutes/index.html">Table of Public Statutes and Responsible Ministers</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/TablePrivateActs/index.html">Table of Private Acts</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/IndexStatutoryInstruments">Consolidated Index of Statutory Instruments</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/IndexationFees/index.html">Indexation of Fees</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/RelatedResources" title="Related Resources">Related Resources</a></li> </ul> </li> <li> <h3 class="wb-navcurr">Help</h3> <ul class="list-group menu list-unstyled"> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/Accessibility" title="Accessibility Help">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/FAQ" title="Frequently Asked Questions">FAQ</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/GeneralHelp" title="General Help">General</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/SearchHelp">Search Help</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/PDFHelp">PDF Help</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/LinkingGuide">How to Create Stable Links</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/Printing" title="Printing Help">Printing</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/Glossary">Glossary</a></li> <li><a class="list-group-item" href="/eng/ImportantNote">Important Note</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> <footer id="wb-info" class="visible-sm visible-md visible-lg wb-navcurr"> <div class="container"> <nav role="navigation"> <h2>About this site</h2> <ul id="gc-tctr" class="list-inline"> <li><a rel="license" href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/terms-avis/index.html">Terms and conditions</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/trans/index.html">Transparency</a></li> </ul> <div class="row"> <section class="col-sm-3"> <h3><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/contact/index.html">Contact us</a></h3> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/contact/Comm4.html">Policy on Legal Assistance</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/contact/Comm3.html">Service on the Crown </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/contact/Comm2.html">Guide to Canadian Legal Information</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/contact/help-aide.html">Help</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/contact/link-lien.html" title="Helpful links">Helpful Links</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="col-sm-3"> <h3><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/abt-apd/index.html">About us</a></h3> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/abt-apd/min.html">The Minister and Attorney General</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/abt-apd/org.html">Organization</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/trans/ar-lr/index.html">Acts and Regulations</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/abt-apd/recru/index.html">Careers and Articling </a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/index.html">Reports and Publications</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/abt-apd/sd-dd/index.html">Sustainable Development</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/trans/open-ouvert.html">Open Government at Justice</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="col-sm-3"> <h3><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/index.html">News</a></h3> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/nr-cp.html">News Releases</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/bck-doc.html">Backgrounders</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/ja-nj.asp?tid=4">Judicial Appointments</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/sta-dec.html">Statements</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/sp-di.html">Speeches</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/ma-am.html">Media Advisories</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/pl/charter-charte/index.html">Charter Statements</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/photo/index.html">Photo Gallery</a></li> </ul> </section> <section class="col-sm-3"> <h3><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/connect-branches.html">Stay connected</a></h3> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JusticeCanadaEn">Facebook</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/news-nouv/rss.html">RSS</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/JusticeCanadaEn">Twitter</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/JusticeCanadaEn">YouTube</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/justice-canada/">LinkedIn</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cons/index.html">Public Consultations</a></li> </ul> </section> </div> </nav> </div> <div id="gc-info"> <div class="container"> <nav role="navigation"> <h2>Government of Canada footer</h2> <ul class="list-inline"> <li><a href="https://healthycanadians.gc.ca"><span>Health</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://travel.gc.ca"><span>Travel</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml"><span>Service Canada</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.jobbank.gc.ca"><span>Jobs</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.budget.gc.ca/"><span>Economy</span></a></li> <li id="canada-ca"><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/index.html">Canada.ca</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </footer>    <script type="text/javascript">_satellite.pageBottom();</script>   <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/2.1.4/jquery.js"></script> <script src="/wet-boew/js/wet-boew.js"></script>   <script src="/theme-gcwu-fegc/js/theme.js"></script> <script src="/js/tocCheckjs.js"></script> </body> </html>