Let's face it, misconceptions about Indigenous peoples in Canada often stem from ignorance, misinformation, or deliberate attempts to undermine Indigenous rights. Common myths suggest that Indigenous communities receive numerous "free" benefits—such as healthcare, tax exemptions, housing, land, and education—and that they mismanage government funds, with leaders living in luxury. These myths not only misrepresent the realities Indigenous peoples face but also fuel resentment and discrimination.
I'm going to break a few of them down one by one, just to set the record straight.
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MYTH #1:
Indigenous People Get Free Healthcare
The Reality:
Indigenous peoples do not receive free healthcare beyond what is covered by Canada's universal healthcare system. The federal government provides Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) to registered First Nations and Inuit individuals, covering limited services not included in provincial healthcare plans. These services include:
*Prescription drugs
*Vision care
*Dental care
*Medical transportation
*Mental health services
However, it's crucial to understand that this is not a privilege—it is a treaty obligation. The government promised healthcare in exchange for land and resources. Despite this, these services are often underfunded, subpar, and difficult to access. Many Indigenous communities still face severe healthcare disparities, including a lack of doctors, hospitals, and mental health support.
For Métis and non-status First Nations, there is no federal healthcare support at all.
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MYTH #2: Indigenous People Don’t Pay Taxes
The Reality:
Indigenous peoples do pay taxes, just like other Canadians. However, specific exemptions under Section 87 of the Indian Act apply only to status First Nations under certain conditions:
Income Tax Exemption: Applies only if the income is earned on a reserve. If a Status First Nations person works off-reserve, they pay income tax like any other Canadian.
Sales Tax Exemption: Status First Nations are generally exempt from paying federal sales tax (GST) and provincial sales tax (PST) on goods and services purchased on a reserve or delivered to a reserve by the vendor. In some provinces, Status First Nations people may also be exempt from PST on purchases made off-reserve if they present their Status Card at the time of purchase.
Property Tax Exemption: Reserve land is not subject to property taxes because it is not privately owned; it is held in trust by the Crown.
For non-status First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals, there are no tax exemptions.
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MYTH #3: Indigenous People Get Free Housing
The Reality:
There is no such thing as free housing for Indigenous peoples. On-reserve housing is typically funded by the federal government as part of treaty obligations, not as a gift. Despite this, the housing crisis on reserves is severe, with many families living in overcrowded, unsafe, and substandard homes due to chronic underfunding.
Off-reserve, Indigenous individuals must buy or rent homes just like everyone else. While some government-funded housing programs exist, they are based on need and are similar to programs available to non-Indigenous Canadians.
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MYTH #4: Indigenous People Get Free Land
The Reality:
The notion that Indigenous peoples are "given" land is wildly inaccurate. In reality, Indigenous nations have lost most of their traditional lands through colonization, treaties, and coerced land surrenders.
Reserve lands are not owned by individuals; they are held in trust by the Crown. This means:
Indigenous individuals on reserves do not own their land in the way private homeowners do.
They cannot use it as collateral for loans.
They face significant barriers to homeownership and economic development.
Treaty land entitlements and land claims settlements are about compensation for stolen land, not "free land." Even when land is returned, it is often a fraction of what was originally taken.
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MYTH #5: Indigenous People Get Free Education
The Reality:
The federal government provides some post-secondary funding for Status First Nations and Inuit students through the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP). However:
Funding is not guaranteed; it is limited, and many students are denied support.
The amount provided often does not cover full tuition, living expenses, or additional costs.
Métis and non-status First Nations receive no federal education funding.
Many Indigenous students face financial barriers and may drop out due to a lack of support. If education were truly "free," we wouldn't see such high dropout rates and low post-secondary completion rates among Indigenous students.
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MYTH #6: Indigenous Communities Mismanage Government Funds, and Chief & Council Live in Luxury
The Reality:
The stereotype that all Indigenous communities mismanage funds and that chief and council live in luxury is a harmful misconception. In reality, many Indigenous communities operate under stringent financial regulations and oversight imposed by the federal government. These regulations often limit their financial autonomy and flexibility.
While there have been isolated cases of financial mismanagement, these are not representative of the majority of Indigenous leadership. It's important to recognize that financial mismanagement is not unique to Indigenous communities and occurs in various organizations and governments worldwide.
Moreover, historical and ongoing mismanagement of Indigenous funds by the federal government has significantly impacted these communities. For instance, in October 2024, the Government of Canada formally apologized to five Anishinaabeg First Nations for past wrongs related to the Crown's mismanagement of their monies in the late 1800s, which had lasting negative impacts on these communities.
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OTHER COMMON MYTHS
“Indigenous people get special treatment.”
The rights and benefits that Indigenous people have are not privileges—they are legal obligations under treaties, the Indian Act, and court rulings. These are agreements made between Indigenous nations and the Crown, often in exchange for land and resources.
“Indigenous people should just move off reserves and integrate.”
This argument ignores the history of forced assimilation, residential schools, and systemic discrimination that Indigenous people have faced for generations. Many reserves exist because Indigenous nations were forcibly removed from their traditional territories and placed on small, often poor-quality land. Moving off-reserve does not erase the systemic barriers Indigenous people face.
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THE REALITY OF INDIGENOUS LIFE IN CANADA
Instead of receiving endless “freebies,” Indigenous people in Canada face:
*Higher rates of poverty and unemployment
*Lower life expectancy and worse healthcare outcomes
*Housing shortages and unsafe living conditions
*Underfunded schools and barriers to education
*High rates of violence, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and police discrimination
The real issue isn’t that Indigenous people get “too much”—it’s that they continue to receive too little compared to what was promised in treaties and agreements.
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MY FINAL THOUGHT:
These myths are not just false; they are dangerous. They fuel resentment, justify discrimination, and prevent meaningful reconciliation. Indigenous people are not asking for handouts—they are demanding that the government honor its legal obligations and provide the same opportunities and quality of life that other Canadians take for granted.
It’s time to stop spreading misinformation and start educating ourselves about the true history and realities of Indigenous life in Canada.
Niawen kó:wa & Chi-miigwech
🪶❤️💛🤍🖤🦅
🫰🫖
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