21 Things You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government: A Conversation About Dismantling the Indian Act

by Bob Joseph

Overview

From the bestselling author of 21 Things™ You May Not Know About the Indian Act comes a powerful new book on dismantling the Indian Act and advancing Indigenous self-governance.
Bob Joseph’s 21 Things™ You May Not Know About the Indian Act captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of Canadians by shining a light on the Indian Act and the problems associated with it. In that book, readers learned that the Consolidated Indian Act of 1876 has controlled the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada for generations, and despite its objective to assimilate Indians into the economic and political mainstream, it has had the opposite effect: segregation. They live under different laws and on different lands.
People came away from that book with questions such as "Can we get rid of the Indian Act?" and "What would that look like? Would self-government work?" These are timely questions, given that 2026 will mark 150 years since the Consolidated Indian Act of 1876. The short answer to these questions is, yes, we can dismantle the Act, and there are current examples of self-government arrangements that are working.
With his trademark wisdom, humility, and deep understanding, Bob Joseph shows us the path forward in 21 Things™ You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government: A Conversation About Dismantling the Indian Act, in which Indigenous self-governance is already happening and not to be feared—and negotiating more such arrangements, sooner rather than later, is an absolute necessity.

21 Things™ You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government: A Conversation About Dismantling the Indian Act is a call to action. Join the conversation now.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781774586273
Publisher:	Page Two Books, Inc.
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.05(w) x 7.95(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Bob Joseph, president of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., has provided training on Indigenous relations since 1994. He has a diverse range of clients, including all levels of government, Fortune 500 companies, resource development companies, and small and medium-sized businesses. He is also the author of the national bestseller 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act.

Editorial Reviews

“Calling for a return to Indigenous self-government, Joseph offers a clear-eyed consideration of the impact, over decades, of Canada’s Indian Act . . . This is a vital contribution to the ongoing conversation about First Nations governance in Canada.” —Editor's Pick, Booklife Reviews

“A persuasively argued case for dismantling a destructive policy.” —Kirkus Reviews

“In this book, Bob Joseph once again captures the facts and importance of Indigenous Peoples rights to self-government. He outlines why it is imperative that all Canadians understand that when Indigenous Peoples reclaim their rightful place in decision-making and self-determination, all Canadians will benefit from a more just and inclusive Canada.” —Nancy C. Southern, chair and chief executive officer, ATCO

“Bob Joseph’s new book is indispensable for all Canadians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, entering into a conversation about alternatives to the Indian Act.” —Bruce McIvor, author of Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation

“Bob Joseph has done it again. Shifting focus from the oppressive federal Indian Act, he provides an effective analysis of the tools that will support Canada’s commitment to reconciliation—self-government. Joseph has a remarkable ability to distill historic and complex legal issues into an impactful narrative that will resonate with the reader. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand where Indigenous communities are planning to go.” —Clint Davis, CEO, Cedar Leaf Capital Inc.

From the Publisher

2025-07-11
A Canadian First Nations leader makes a case for Indigenous self-government.

As we approach the 150th year since the passage of Canada’s Consolidated Indian Act of 1876, Joseph convincingly contends that the legislative policy “has constrained and controlled the lives of Status Indians for generations.” The author, who inherited a chief’s seat in the Gayaxala clan of the Gwawa’enuxw tribe of the Kwakwaka’wakw nation, begins with a brief history of Canadian-Indigenous relations for those who may be unfamiliar. Although King George III’s Royal Proclamation of 1763 created a framework for self-determination that recognized the area’s Indigenous residents “as nations of people,” the subsequent Indian Act viewed them as “savages, incapable of governing themselves,” while the Canadian government shifted its priorities toward assimilation that amounted to “cultural genocide,” writes Joseph. After providing historical context, the book transitions to its central thesis that the Indian Act “needs to be dismantled.” Pragmatic in his approach, Joseph emphasizes practical steps for undoing the antiquated law and looks to the future for what would ideally replace it. Foremost among his arguments is that self-government can coexist with “Canada’s fiduciary duty to Status Indians”; allocating resources to First Nations communities directly, he says, will align government funding with “community values and ideas” and make healthcare and other programs “more efficient and effective.” Backed by nearly 200 endnotes, this well-researched book effectively balances scholarship with a deep understanding of Indigenous history. The author, a former professor at Royal Roads University, is the author of multiple books on Indigenous policy and is the co-founder and president of Indigenous Corporate Training, an organization focused on improving Indigenous relations in Canada’s public and private sectors. This brief volume’s accessible approach is complemented by a robust set of appendices that include additional reading suggestions and tips on how readers can get involved in the movement to replace the Indian Act on a grassroots level.

A persuasively argued case for dismantling a destructive policy.

Kirkus Reviews