scarletdog

Canadian Geographic is still carrying Katherine Gordon's article.

Tax exemption does not, and has never, defined First Nation status.  Tax exemption is one of the only 'upsides' for a group of peoples governed under the Canadian Indian act.   Tax exemption for First Nations people is only valid on reserve lands - if you work and live and shop on reserve you do not pay income, property or sales tax. However, you pay those taxes for whichever of those activities you engage in off reserve.  It's not much of a 'give' really, especially when you consider the lack of adequate housing, employment and shopping facilities on reserve lands across the country.   Tax exempt status is given by a foreign government, it is not a birthright and it certainly doesn't pay for what was illegally taken.