What is a status Indian?

A status Indian is a term used in Canada to refer to individuals who are registered as members of a First Nation and have specific rights and benefits under the Indian Act. This status grants them certain legal rights, including access to education, healthcare, and tax exemptions, as well as the ability to reside on reserves. The status is determined by ancestry and can be passed down through generations. Non-status Indians, on the other hand, do not have these legal recognitions or benefits.