Before we studied the Indian Act in class, I knew that the First Nations were treated unfairly and had not be acknowledge correctly. I knew that the First Nation had terrible living conditions and had lost parts of their culture. I also knew that the initial goal of a reserve was to eliminate the First Nations (Culture and way of life) and turn them into European citizens.

5 ideas I learned about the Indian Act are:

1. The First Nation would need to have approval from the Indian Agent, in order to leave the reserve.
2. They would have to register with the government in order to get the benefits of living with a reserve. They would receive a card (Status Card) that would exempt them from things.
3. I learned that the children would be forced to attend a residential school (Assimilate Culture)
4. The First Nations Would only receive a certain amount of land. It would not increase nor decrease. They were often near poor land or land where the white didn’t want to live.
5. I learned that the First Nations Women would often be marry a white male in order to stop the growth of culture.

I am going to use this information I learned to educate others and help put an end to the terrible situation. I would help talk to others in my community and spread the word.