Literature takes us to the extremes of different understanding and interpretation of different historical memories. The Indian act is a manuscript, weighing more than a body of law that has served for over a century (Hurley et al.,). It was aimed at revealing the understanding of the native identity and formulating a conceptual framework which was to shape the native contemporary life. In understanding this masterpiece of freedom and ban to oppression and racial discrimination, the act may be interpreted from a moral form or a historical perspective and the social-political perspective. The iconic structure, the and voice of the act reflects on the necessary privileges the Indians enjoyed
The act introduces the theme of assimilation which could end the culture, economic, social and political distinctiveness of the native Indians. For example, through marriage, an Indian woman ceased to be a member of the band (Hurley et al.,),” if any Indian woman who marries other than an Indian will cease to be an Indian in any respect within the meaning of this act.” The two ways of interpretation give a broad inference of the reasons why the law was enacted and the contribution that it played. Being a universal act that was applicable in Canada, the Indian act is unforgettable due to its paternalistic and invasive nature that authorized the federal government to administer and regulate the affairs of registered Indians living within the territory.
History defines the origin, a state which provides harmony from the mythical disbelieve to reality. It drives us to the knowledge why something exists the way it is witnessed in the current state. The historical perspective of the Indian act does not only enlighten us with the formation period of the law but the reason that catalyzed the enactment of the law. This was a period that was marked by slavery, racial discrimination and ethnic segregation. This thrust was enough to drive the Indians in pursuit of better standards of living.
It’s fun to read any literature piece of work knowing that it was written during different periods. The social set allows us to appreciate the Indian act text of the past and the present meaning. The structure and the plot of the literature in the document allow us to appreciate the work. There are various aspects that attract the modern reader to have a look on the Indian act. One of it was the Indians humanity which is considered to be the largest persecution of the minority. It also reflected on the Indians persistence. This is witnessed by the fact that over several decades many treaties had been forwarded to the Canadians but none which was approved. Through this persistence, there was a platform where the view, grievances were raised.
The sympathy nature of the Indians is also reflected through the Indian enfranchisement act. The care for each other, especially on the matter of property procession, is the most important to all the societies. "The children of any window who becomes either enfranchised or probationary should be entitled to the same privileges as those of a male head of the family in like circumstances." Enfranchisement opportunities were also granted to Indians who attained university degree, men and married women who have attained the age of twenty-one year. The deliberately crafted narrative sets standards with the act that is seen to draft out a genuine and sincere attempt to upgrade the government obligation on the conduct of the society. These included the introduction of the Canadian traditional elections and schooling. “Every Indian child who has attained the age of seven years shall attend school. No Indian shall be required to attend school after he becomes eighteen years of age.” School and right to basic education became a priority that demanded the minister to appoint a truant officer who was to enforce the Indian children to attend school.
The other perspective in understands the Indian act is more dishearting and grim. A variety of radically restive rules may be deceptive incrustation of perpetually good. The patina is castigated by the white saviorism, a manner that a reader is supposed to critically analyze this act. The government is led by despot oligarch who shapes the hegemony structure of ethnic-racial decimation. All this period the government has been a dictator to the marginalized groups and it is evident through the strategy it used to attribute resources.
The allocation represented the theme of alienation in the perspective where the youth, trade and barter, selects its officials and the manning other functions that define a society. Protection is the main those of the act is revealed when Indians are given immunity which protected them from any form of harassment in trading (Hurley et al.,). “Whoever sells exchanges with, barters, supplies or gives to any Indian any kind of intoxicant or causes to be opened or kept on any reserve, a tavern house or building when any intoxicant is sold, bartered or exchanged shall be convicted”.
The defining nature of the act is simple and direct. The term band was rooted in the people who had a common interest. This gives the assertion that there was a serious problem that was affecting the band. “ The term Indian refers to any male of Indian blood reputed to belong to a particular band, any children of such or any woman who is or was married to such person”. The land is seen to be the core issues. Literature has value on land in determining the origin and sometimes it has the power to raise the grievances. It is also seen to have the power to redirect procession and give a solution to the various problems a society may be facing. “The superintendent- general may authorize surveys, plan and report to be made of any reserve for Indian, and may authorize that the whole or any portion of a reserve be subdivided into lots.”
The social structure of the society is represented as that which is exploitative and segregated. The Indians do not have the same rights and priorities with each other. Alienation of the Indians and the Indians of the band were not allowed to own property without a license. Politicized scenes run all over the Indian act. The self-centered nature of the administration is revealed in the sharing of roads. “The Indians of a band were bound certain roads and bridges and they were entitled to maintain them in order.”
Political theme cuts through the act defining the responsibility and the power of the governor, the procedure in which chiefs were to be elected and the requirement to vote. Literature here defines the leadership background of any society and the working of the government as an institution.
Work Cited
Hurley, Mary C., and Ross C. Gordon. The Indian Act. Parliamentary Information and Research Service, 2009.
