If you are a Status Indian (registered Indian) and belong to a First Nation that has signed one of the following treaties, you are eligible for treaty annuity payments:
- Treaties No. 1, No. 2, Treaty No. 3, Treaty No. 4, Treaty No. 5, Treaty No. 6, Treaty No. 7, Treaty No. 8, Treaty No. 9, Treaty No. 10, and Treaty No. 11 (together, these are known as the “Numbered Treaties” from 1871-1921)
The Upper and Lower Cayuga Payments are not annuity payments based on a treaty. Rather, they are payments based on an American and British Claims Arbitration Tribunal judgement from 1928. On odd years, these $5 payments are made every two years. A payment, for example, was made in 2019 and will be repeated in 2021, 2023, 2025, and so on.
How much do you get for treaty money?
If treaty annuity payments were based on today’s land values, an average family of five with status cards could be more than $25,000 richer each year.
Treaty people with status cards currently receive $5 per year based on land valuations from the 1800s, which amounts to $25 for a family of five.
Based on land valuations from 20 years ago, when a report on upgrading treaty annuities was written and has been collecting dust since 2004, that same piece of property is worth $5,000.
Sheilla Jones was a member of the Treaty Annuity Working Group, and she believes that now is the time to bring it up again as part of a broader discussion about how Indigenous affairs departments, despite spending $20 billion annually, have little positive impact on the lives of First Nations and Inuit people.
“With jurisdictional reach over 90% of Canada’s land mass through ancient and present treaties, (Indigenous affairs departments) have great range and impact across the country,” Jones said, noting that Indigenous affairs is third in terms of federal budget, behind Quebec and Ontario. It’s like a big super-province, she explained.
“However, unlike any other province, not a single person is elected to represent the interests of ordinary Indigenous people, despite the fact that a department controls almost every aspect of their lives from birth to death in many cases, particularly for First Nations living in First Nations communities on reserves.”
Jones argues in a paper published by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy that instead of pennies on the dollar trickling down to First Nations people through the government’s bloated bureaucracy, cash should flow directly to every status card-holding man, woman, and child in Canada, regardless of whether they are from treaty-signing communities.
According to the Treaty Annuity Working Group report, it would have an immediate impact on “grinding poverty, social pathologies, despair and hopelessness plaguing so many First Nations communities in Canada.” It also recommended paying the annuity out on a monthly basis, similar to how the Canada Child Benefit is paid out monthly.
Jones is the author of Let the People Speak: Oppression in a Time of Reconciliation, which will be published in June.
With more people than ever contemplating what can and should be done in the spirit of reconciliation, Jones believes the time has come to contemplate turning the current system on its head.
How do First Nations get money?
The Idle No More rallies, as well as Attawapiskat chief Theresa Spence’s 45-day hunger strike, have brought native issues to the forefront.
The question of native funding, which arises mostly from the connection between governments and aboriginal peoples, is one of the most convoluted and misunderstood concerns. The history of that relationship has shaped how many components of aboriginal finance function — or don’t function.
Daniel Wilson, a former senior director of strategic policy and planning for the Assembly of First Nations and a Canadian diplomat before that, is one of them. His ancestors are Mi’kmaq, Acadian, and Irish, according to him.
Harold Calla, chairman of the First Nations Financial Management Board, which he helped establish in 2006 to assist First Nations with modern fiscal management tools, is another example. Calla is a member of the Squamish First Nation in North Vancouver and is a certified general accountant and certified aboriginal financial manager.
What revenue sources do First Nations have?
Transfers from the federal government are the most common source of revenue, however First Nations are increasingly earning “own-source revenue.”
Land claims settlements and successful litigation, as well as the sale of treaty land and a minor amount from other levels of government, provide cash to the communities.
The four comprehensive land claims agreements, which together comprise 40% of the country’s land mass, determine the majority of federal financing for the 50,000 Inuit in Canada’s north. Historically, programs and services have been delivered by territorial or provincial governments.
The Federal Court’s decision in January 2013 that Métis and non-status Indians are subject to federal jurisdiction may have funding consequences. “The federal government continues to insist we are a provincial responsibility,” Métis National Council President Clément Chartier stated before the judgment. John Duncan, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, said on February 6 that his government will appeal the ruling.
Why does the federal government fund First Nations?
The British North America Act of 1867 gave the federal government exclusive control over “Indians and areas reserved for the Indians,” making the federal government responsible for programs and services that most communities in Canada receive through provincial and municipal levels of government. Education, health and social services, roads, housing, water, and waste management are among them.
Treaties and land claims settlements also resulted in First Nations losing land and resources, resulting in government duties to give aid and services in exchange.
What do natives get for free in Canada?
The Indian Register is a public record that identifies those who have been registered as status Indians under the Indian Act. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is responsible for maintaining the Register under section 5 of the Indian Act.
Non-status Indians, Métis, Inuit, and other Canadians do not have the same rights and advantages as registered Indians, commonly known as status Indians. On-reserve housing, schooling, and tax exemptions from federal, provincial, and territorial taxation are among the privileges and benefits available.
You must have successfully filed for Indian status and be eligible under the requirements of the Indian Act, as assessed by the Indian Registrar, to be put on the Indian Register.
Why do natives get free money?
The federal government helps First Nations and Inuit communities pay for things like tuition, transportation, and living expenses. However, because the demand for higher education outnumbers the amount of funding, not all eligible students receive assistance. Non-status Indians and Metis pupils are not permitted to participate.
How much money do Native Americans get a month?
Gaming income provides cash distributions to members of several Native American tribes. For example, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has compensated its members $30,000 each month from casino profits. Other tribes only send out $1,000 or less in annual cheques. The Cherokees, being one of the country’s largest tribes, have a small budget of $350 million for a population of 270,000 people. It does not, however, share casino winnings to its members.
What are the benefits of having a Metis status card?
1) What am I entitled to with my new citizenship card?
- All MNO initiatives and services, including as education, training, housing, health, and economic development, are available to you.
- Participation in MNO activities such as community meetings and cultural events
- If you link to a Verified Métis Family Line, you will be able to apply for an MNO Harvesters Card.
2) Is it possible to get a tax break if you have an MNO citizenship card?
No. Métis are not exempt from paying provincial or federal taxes at the moment. It is not recommended that you utilize an MNO citizenship card for this reason. You will be personally liable for any legal consequences if you do so.
3) Does my MNO citizenship card have an expiration date?
Yes, five years after the date of issue, your card will need to be updated with a new photo; the expiration date is indicated on your new card. You should update your contact information with the MNO Registry if you move or change your name.
4) My citizenship card was misplaced. So, what should I do now?
A new card can be obtained from the MNO Registry. You can get a replacement card by filling out the Request for Replacement Card form online or contacting the Registry.
5) I’ve relocated. So, what should I do now?
To change your information, fill out a Change of Address form and submit or email it to the MNO Registry, along with evidence of residency (e.g., Ontario Photo Card, driver’s license) if you are over 18.
6) My name has been legally altered. So, what should I do now?
You must fill out a Request for Replacement Card form and include proof of your name change, such as a copy of your marriage certificate or a change of name certificate.
7) Is it possible for me to move my citizenship from one province to another?
No, at this moment, there is no standard method for individuals who relocate between provinces in the Métis Nation registrations across the Métis Nation Homeland. If you want to become a citizen of a new province, you must fill out a full application there. However, requesting your file from the Registry with which you were previously registered to provide to your new Provincial registry may be beneficial.
8) How can I join the MNO, meet other Métis, and participate in community events?
Learn about upcoming events by visiting the MNO’s website, reading the Métis Voyageur, visiting your local MNO office, attending community council meetings, or contacting the Métis Community Council nearest you.
Do natives get free housing?
- Indigenous peoples did not have access to a written language. That is a fallacy! There are several ways to transmit information through visual symbols, including European and Asian writing systems. Indigenous peoples have communicated and told stories using symbols and a variety of markings. Visual language includes totem poles, petroglyphs, and pictographs.
- Indigenous peoples are exempt from paying taxes. That is a fallacy! Indigenous peoples, like all other Canadians, are expected to pay taxes. All income taxes, federal, provincial, and local taxes, as well as taxes on products and services purchased off reserve, are included. The only exclusions are persons who have been designated as such by the federal government “Indians on the Reservation.” They are not required to pay:
- If they buy products or services on reserve or have them transported to the reserve, they may be subject to provincial or federal sales taxes.
- Everything that has happened to Indigenous Peoples is a travesty of justice “They should just get over it because it happened so long ago.” That is a fallacy! The repercussions of colonization are still being felt by indigenous peoples. Given that settlers’ diseases nearly wiped out Indigenous Peoples, those who were resilient and survived are now dealing with long-term effects on their quality of life, identity, cultural expression, and traditional practices. For example, the Indian Act continues to regulate many elements of First Nations people’s lives and restricts their ability to self-govern. It was prohibited for First Nations people to meet in groups of more than three, to leave a reserve without a pass, to hire a lawyer, to possess property, or to practice their culture until 1951. It wasn’t until 1982, when the Constitution was amended, that First Nations women’s legal status was no longer determined by who they married. Even though the last residential school in British Columbia closed in 1984, people who did not attend the schools are still affected by the legacy of suffering, loss, and racism.
- Indigenous peoples are the same in every way.
- That is a fallacy! The languages, cultures, and customs of Indigenous Peoples and communities across Canada are extremely diverse. In B.C., there are approximately 200 First Nation communities. They speak about 36 different languages. In B.C., 270,000 persons self-identified as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit in the 2016 Census. Because many reservations were not included in the census, this estimate does not include First Nations people living on reserves. Cultural practices and traditions vary depending on where you are in the province.
- The cultures of the indigenous peoples were quite rudimentary. That is a fallacy! Indigenous Peoples have intricate civilizations and systems of governance, commerce, trade, and agriculture that have existed for thousands of years prior to contact with settlers. Despite the fact that several peace treaties were signed in eastern and central Canada, the colonial government refused to acknowledge or ratify these powerful institutions and tactics. For example, Governor James Douglas of B.C. established agreements with First Nation communities on Vancouver Island, but these agreements were later revoked by successive governors.
- Indigenous peoples are entitled to a free university education as well as free housing. That is a fallacy! If you are a Status Indian and your First Nation community has enough nationally allotted money to support all or part of your post-secondary education, you may be eligible for post-secondary education subsidies. When it comes to post-secondary education, many Indigenous people receive no assistance from their communities or the government. In terms of free housing, each First Nation negotiates with the federal government to obtain financing to construct homes on reserve, after which the First Nation secures mortgages. To repay the mortgage, tenants make payments to the First Nation. If a tenant receives subsidized housing assistance, it is due to their unique low-income status. Even if a tenant pays off the mortgage, the property remains in their name and cannot be sold.
- Addiction and criminality are more prevalent among indigenous peoples than among non-indigenous peoples. That is a fallacy! Indigenous people are more prone to struggle with addictions and are over-represented in the criminal justice system as a group, but this is not because they are more criminals or because their bodies are more vulnerable to addictions (though this was thought to be the case by scientists and many people for decades). The causes for the increased likelihood of addiction and over-representation in the criminal justice system are numerous and originate from a variety of colonization-related impacts. Lack of acknowledgement of their cultures, customs, and languages; government policies; racism, prejudice, and stereotyping; family disintegration; poverty; isolation; and residential schools, cycles of dysfunction, and intergenerational trauma are just a few of them. In large cities, disadvantaged neighborhoods have more police officers. Indigenous people are more likely to come into touch with police officers or the criminal justice system if they are poorer than the majority of Canadians (which they are statistically). Furthermore, Indigenous people experience extra discrimination after they enter the criminal justice system as a result of a lack of knowledge and cultural disparities that lead to institutional bias and racism. As a result, they are more likely to be convicted and sentenced to longer terms.
- Residential schools and colonization had no effect on indigenous youngsters. That is a fallacy! Indigenous populations have suffered long-term effects from colonization, including family breakup, poverty, depression, addictions, intergenerational trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To break the cycle, indigenous adolescents must overcome numerous social and economic obstacles. Many Indigenous peoples continue to face racism, which comes in the form of misinformed opinions, misunderstandings, and prejudice, and is sometimes blatant and intentional. Their ability to live healthy and productive lives is harmed as a result of this.
- Indigenous peoples do not want to work with the government or become citizens of Canada. That is a fallacy! Indigenous Peoples are already citizens of Canada, and they want the federal government to acknowledge their autonomy and rights as separate peoples, as outlined in the Constitution. Indigenous peoples in Canada have been treated unfairly, from having their lands and territories stolen without their consent to having government decisions made on their behalf without consultation.
Disability Tax Credit
Persons with disabilities, their supportive family members, and their caretakers are eligible for tax credits and deductions.
- A non-refundable tax credit that assists people with disabilities and their caregivers in lowering the amount of income tax they may owe. Once a person is eligible for the DTC, they can claim the disability amount. This figure includes a bonus for those under the age of 18 at the conclusion of the year.
- You may be able to deduct expenses for items that helped you accomplish your job, go to school, or conduct research for which you were awarded a grant.
- Check to see if you qualify for the tax-free monthly payments, which are in addition to the Canada child benefit.
- Learn how the RDSP can help you save for a person who qualifies for the Disability Tax Credit’s long-term financial security.
Marital status
If you’re in a common-law partnership, you should update your marital status. Your payments will be recalculated to reflect your new marital status and family net income.
- Instead of earning a separate sum for each adult, the couple receives a combined amount.
- The amount of the benefit is determined by the number of children in your care and the new family net income utilized in the calculation.
Children in your care
If a child moves in with you, you start sharing custody of a child, or a child leaves your care, update the number of children in your care.
- The benefit amount is determined by the number of children in your care, and the benefit amount is calculated using the new family net income.
Uncashed cheques
There are a variety of reasons why a Canadian may have an uncashed CRA check, including moving and failing to update your address. Sign into or register for MyAccount to see if you have an uncashed CRA check.
Your workplace
Due to workplace constraints, you may have been forced to labor off-reserve. Check to see if your income is still tax-free despite changes in your circumstances.
If you reside on a reserve and are compelled to work from home, your job income may now be excused from taxation in whole or in part under section 87.
If you work from home, you may also be able to claim home office expenditures.
How much do natives get from the government?
Have you ever wondered how much money the federal government gives to American Indian tribes and communities on a yearly basis? According to a document from the Department of the Interior, it amounts to around $20 billion per year, give or take a few hundred million dollars.
According to the Department of the Interior, the President’s fiscal 2015 budget request was $19.6 billion across all government agencies. Remember that Congress can and does amend the President’s budget requests, but the DOI paper is a decent proxy for total aid.
How much money do natives get when they turn 18?
Lou Montelongo, a member of the EBCI who grew up in Cherokee, was on a tight budget during her first semester at UC Berkeley. Despite the fact that the tribe covered her tuition and lunch plan, she says she didn’t have any additional spending money, unlike many of her classmates. “My pals would have their parents pay them $200 to $300 a week,” explains the sophomore rhetoric student. “My mother is unable to assist due to a lack of funds.”
For some, the per capita system has caused a generational financial divide: In 1997, the year Harrah’s launched, an 18-year-old graduating from high school would have earned a lump-sum payout of roughly a thousand dollars; the current reward is a hundred times bigger. “We grew up in poverty, and there were times when I saw my mother struggling since our father died when I was eight,” Lou recalls. “We’ve been humbled a lot as we’ve gotten older.”
In 2015, Lou and others drafted a resolution for the Tribal Council to change the distribution of per capita checks from one lump sum to smaller amounts as part of their work with the Junaluska Leadership Council, a youth leadership program that brings together enrolled EBCI teenagers from surrounding area high schools. “We’ve witnessed a lot of our friends who would get their money and then spend it all,” Lou explains. “There wasn’t a great deal of financial knowledge.” Lou learned to be cautious with money at a young age after witnessing family members and acquaintances burn away large sums of money. The lump payments also meant that youngsters were accountable for enormous tax bills—”I heard stories of people having to pay $20,000 in taxes,” Lou says—and they made it impossible for them to receive financial help or grants for further education.
The Minors Fund payments were divided into blocks by a resolution passed by the Tribal Council in 2016. The EBCI began releasing $25,000 to individuals when they turned 18, another $25,000 when they became 21, and the remaining funds when they were 25 in June 2017. Teenagers must finish an online money management course and submit a copy of their high school diploma after they turn 18 in order to receive their first check from the EBCI.
Lou didn’t get her money until the second semester of her freshman year, after taxes, for a total of $18,000. She began by purchasing a new iPhone to replace an older, damaged phone, and then surprised her family with a Christmas trip to New York City. They stayed in a Staten Island hotel and took the ferry to Manhattan to see Wicked, her sister’s favorite Broadway production. She deposited the remaining funds into a CD. Lou claims he “doesn’t really place much value on money.” “We’d prefer to spend time together.”
Do Indians pay taxes?
Federal income taxes apply to all Indians. Tribal governments have the authority to charge taxes on reservation grounds because they are sovereign organizations. Some tribes do, whereas others do not. As a result, depending on the tribe, Indians and non-Indians may or may not be required to pay sales taxes on products and services purchased on the reservation. When a member of an Indian tribe conducts business off the reservation, he or she pays both state and local taxes, just like everyone else. Reservation and trust lands are exempt from state income taxes.
What taxes do indigenous pay?
Status Indians who own personal or real property on a reserve are exempt from federal and provincial taxes under sections 87 and 90 of the Indian Act. As defined by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, personal property comprises goods, services, and income.
