Status Indian
Indigenous RightsA person registered under the Indian Act. Status determines eligibility for Section 87 tax exemptions, NIHB health coverage, and other federal programs. Status is not the same as band membership — they are separate but related.
Related terms
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Indian Act
Federal legislation that governs many aspects of First Nations life in Canada, including band governance, reserve lands, and tax exemptions. Originally a tool of control, it still defines key rights like Section 87 tax exemptions and Section 89 property protections that affect your finances directly.
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Section 87
The section of the Indian Act that exempts the personal property of a Status Indian situated on a reserve from taxation. In practice, this can apply to employment income, investment income, and purchases — but only when specific conditions (the connecting factors test) are met. It does not mean all income is automatically tax-free.
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Secure Certificate of Indian Status
The current, secure-format status card issued by Indigenous Services Canada. It confirms your registration under the Indian Act and is needed to access Section 87 tax exemptions, NIHB coverage, and other programs. The older laminated card is being phased out.