MULTICULTURALISM AT STAKE – THE INDIAN ACT IN CANADA

Abstract This paper attempts at reviewing specific clauses of a statute – the Indian Act of 1985, operational in Canada, to understand the real nature and intent of the prescribed law, to chart its impacts and to deduce whether the same has undermined multiculturalism and values of social pluralism, in Canada. The methodology employed in this paper involves interpretation of secondary data. It integrates legislative interpretation with non-doctrinal research. It uses data from books, journals and legal texts to interpret the legislation in question; then uses comparative data to enlist statutes which carry forward the same intent, simultaneously controlling the possible harms. Finally, there has been an attempt at tracking its outcome to map the harms done to the multicultural social setting of Canada. The link between this statute and its effect in plummeting multicultural values has been established by meticulously reviewing the aforesaid legislation to realize the degradation it has caused in the life of Canadian Aboriginals. The literature used in the research of the provided theme comes from data published by official reports of the Canadian Government and works of political theorists with regard to the same, with citations having been provided wherever felt necessary.