<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Indian Act (An Act respecting Indians, French: Loi sur les Indiens), (the Act) is a Canadian Act of Parliament that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves . First passed in 1876 and still in force with amendments, it is the primary document which defines how the Government of Canada interacts with the 614 First Nation bands in Canada and their members . Throughout its long history the Act has been an ongoing subject of controversy and has been interpreted in different ways by both Aboriginal Canadians and non-Aboriginal Canadians . The legislation has been amended many times, including "over twenty major changes" made by 2002 . </P> <P> The Act is very wide - ranging in scope, covering governance, land use, healthcare, education, and more on Indian reserves . Notably, the original Indian Act does two things affecting all indigenous peoples in Canada: </P>

What was the purpose of the indian act