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Of all the myths surrounding First Nations people in Canada, none is more pervasive than this one: “Indigenous peoples have everything paid for; they don’t have to pay for their housing, education or medical expenses.”
It is somewhat understandable that non-Indigenous people think this way. After all, the way First Nations are funded in Canada is a complicated process entrenched in the outdated Indian Act since its inception in 1867.
Here are the facts:
· Registered First Nations peoples have certain services paid for, because these are part of the federal government’s responsibilities as outlined in the Indian Act. It’s important to remember that Indigenous people did not ask for the Indian Act.