How a Senate bill could end the Indian Act’s 2nd-generation cut-off – CBC

Apr 08, 2026

Bill S-2 amendment addresses loss of status after 2 generations of ‘marrying out’

For 150 years, who is considered a “Status Indian” in Canadian law has been determined by the federal government through the Indian Act.

As the Indian Act marks 150 years this month, a bill before the House of Commons could end an amendment that prevents the transfer of Indian status after two generations of “marrying out.”

Bill S-2 was proposed to return status to about 3,500 people who lost it through previous entitlement clauses, to deal with issues of band registration for women who were transferred to their husband’s First Nations instead of their own and to replace offensive and outdated language in the act.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/bill-s2-indian-act-9.7155316