Demographic Impacts of the Second-Generation Cut-off on the Registered Population of First Nations
This map provides the percentage of individuals registered under section 6(2) of the Indian Act by First Nation and by region, as of December 31st, 2025. This tool has been developed to support First Nations with information on the potential impacts of the second-generation cut-off on their community’s registered population. Indigenous Services Canada is currently consulting on this issue through The Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds. If you have any questions concerning the Collaborative Process or the Community Specific Data Sheets, please contact the Registration Reform team by email at Reforme-de-linscription-Registration-Reform@sac-isc.gc.ca.
Definitions
Population registered under the Indian Act
The Registrar within the Department of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is required by Section 5(1) of the Indian Act, to record in the Indian Register the names of individuals who are registered under the act. Persons registered have "status", and are eligible for services and benefits delivered through federal departments. Section 6 of the Indian Act defines who is entitled to registration:
- Section 6(1): Today, a person may be registered under section 6(1) if they were born before April 17, 1985 or after that date and have two parents entitled to registration.
- Section 6(2): Today, a person may be registered under 6(2) if they were born after 1985 and have one parent entitled to registration.
- Percentage of population registered under section 6(2): This portion of the registered population will only be able to pass on entitlement to registration under the Indian Act to their descendants if they parent with an individual who is also entitled to registration under the Indian Act.
- Second-Generation Cut-Off: The second-generation cut-off occurs after two consecutive generations of parenting with a person who is not entitled to registration, resulting in the third generation being no longer entitled or ineligible.
First Nation membership type
Registration under the Indian Act and membership to a First Nation are distinct concepts connected to different rights, benefits, services and programs. Band membership, also known as First Nation membership, refers to an individual being a member on the membership list of their First Nation community. If the First Nation is registered under section 11, this process happens automatically. If First Nations are registered under section 10, individuals must apply for membership. In addition to social and cultural benefits, First Nation membership provides access to certain rights, benefits, programs, and services. For example, funding for post-secondary education and housing support is often offered through the First Nation. Some Nation-specific supports provided are only available to registered individuals as is the case with Non-Insured Health Benefits. Individuals may be affiliated to a First Nation governed under section 10, 11, or a self-governing agreement, and band membership will be determined accordingly.
- Section 10: Under section 10, First Nations can assume control of their band membership through the creation of membership rules and codes approved by the Minister of Indigenous Services, as defined by the Indian Act.
- Section 10 voting thresholds: The double majority threshold requirement for First Nations to take control of their membership under Section 10 of the Indian Act.
- Section 11: For First Nations that have not taken control of their band membership under section 10, their band membership lists are maintained by Indigenous Services Canada, under section 11 of the Indian Act.
- Self-government: For self-governing First Nations, registration is still determined by Canada under the Indian Act, but membership and other affairs are governed by the First Nation.
General List
The General List is an administrative tool that allows the Registrar to recognize individuals who are listed in the Indian Register, but for various reasons that are specific to those individual's circumstances – are not affiliated with a specific First Nation. To be registered, the individual still needs to demonstrate sufficient ancestry and a connection to a historical nation. As of December 31st, 2025, there are 4,199 individuals on the General List.
Notes
Please note that in certain cases, the point identifying a First Nation on the map may appear within one province or territory, while the community falls under the departmental jurisdiction of another region. In such instances, the total registered population of the First Nation is attributed to its administrative region.
- The community of the Mohawks of Akwesasne is located along the St. Lawrence River, at the intersection of the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec and the U.S. state of New York. Although the band office is located in Quebec, the community falls under the administrative authority of the Ontario regional office of Indigenous Services Canada.
- The Yukon Region provides services to the northern British Columbia communities of Dease River, Taku River Tlingit, and Liard First Nation, as the departmental office in Whitehorse is the nearest service centre.
Disclaimer
The official names of First Nations shown on the map reflect those submitted to Indigenous Services Canada as of December 31st, 2025. For the most up-to-date information on name changes, please consult the First Nation Profiles.
Source
Indian Registration System (IRS), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), December 31st, 2025.