In what Indigenous leaders are calling a historic move, the Canadian Senate passed amendments aimed at ending discriminatory provisions in the Indian Act
The Anishinabek Nation is commending the Senate vote to end "discriminatory" Indian Act provisions and now calls on the House of Commons to honour First Nations’ rights, says a news release.
The Senate voted 63–0 last Thursday to adopt Bill S-2,* An Act to amend the Indian Act,* with amendments that would end the second-generation cut-off and restore the one-parent rule for Indian registration. Eight senators abstained.
"This vote is a significant step toward ending more than four decades of legislated discrimination. However, Bill S-2 must now pass in the House of Commons before these changes become law," said the release. …
In what Indigenous leaders are calling a historic move, the Canadian Senate passed amendments aimed at ending discriminatory provisions in the Indian Act
The Anishinabek Nation is commending the Senate vote to end "discriminatory" Indian Act provisions and now calls on the House of Commons to honour First Nations’ rights, says a news release.
The Senate voted 63–0 last Thursday to adopt Bill S-2,* An Act to amend the Indian Act,* with amendments that would end the second-generation cut-off and restore the one-parent rule for Indian registration. Eight senators abstained.
"This vote is a significant step toward ending more than four decades of legislated discrimination. However, Bill S-2 must now pass in the House of Commons before these changes become law," said the release.
"Despite recognizing that Members of Parliament may attempt to reject the Senate’s amendments, Senators affirmed their moral, legal, and parliamentary responsibility to uphold the honour of the Crown and Canada’s fiduciary obligations to First Nations."
Canada cannot claim reconciliation while maintaining laws that deliberately diminish First Nations populations, the release continued.
“For their commitment to truth, equity, and justice, we express our gratitude,” said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige.
“The Senate has chosen to confront the harms caused by Canada’s own legislation, harms that have divided families, erased identities, and pushed our Nations toward statistical extinction.”
The Anishinabek Nation is now calling on Chiefs, citizens, and families across the territory to engage with their Member of Parliament to ensure that justice is not stalled once again in the House of Commons.
“Canada must finally take responsibility for eliminating discrimination in its own laws,” Debassige added.
“Indian Act status is not the same as First Nation citizenship, but Canada has an obligation to stop the legal extinction of our people through legislative neglect.”
The Anishinabek Nation said it expresses profound recognition to the families, women, children, and generations who have endured the consequences of discriminatory registration rules. For nearly half a century, they have lived with fractured family lines, lost recognition, and the daily impacts of a system designed to reduce the number of “status Indians” in Canada.
“This moment belongs to the families who refused to be erased,” said Debassige.
“Their resilience has forced Canada to confront a truth it has avoided for too long: discrimination is not an administrative oversight; it is a political choice. And today, the Senate chose differently.”
Debassige emphasized that thousands of First Nations citizens continue to wait for justice as the Bill moves to the House of Commons.
“To every family who has fought, appealed, or simply waited for Canada to do what is right, we honour you. You have carried this burden for generations, and Canada must not fail you again,” said Debassige.