Historic Vote Acknowledges Years of Injustice
“Canada Must Not Fail Us Again,” says the Grand Council Chief.

The next step is to tell MPs to pass Bill S-2 right away

ALGONQUIN UNCEDED TERRITORY—December 5, 2025 – The Anishinabek Nation is pleased about a historic vote by the Senate of Canada. This vote could be a turning point in the long fight against unfair Indian Act policies. The Senate passed Bill S-2 with a vote of 63–0, with eight senators abstaining. The bill aims to get rid of the harmful second-generation cut-off rule and allow one parent to register for Indian status again.

The Anishinabek Nation sees the bill, which is now going to the House of Commons, as a long-overdue correction of Canada’s laws that erased First Nations identity.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige said, “The Senate has chosen to confront the harms caused by Canada’s own laws. These harms have torn families apart, erased identities, and pushed our Nations toward statistical extinction.” “We thank them for their dedication to truth, fairness, and justice.”

Changes to the Indian Act have had a bigger effect on First Nations women and their descendants than on other groups for more than 40 years. This is often because of strict definitions of Indigenous identity from the colonial era that deny status to children and grandchildren. The second-generation cut-off rule has been especially bad because it has taken away status from thousands of people and broken up families.

The Anishinabek Nation is asking all First Nations citizens and leaders, from the 39 member First Nations and beyond, to get in touch with their Members of Parliament and demand that the House of Commons pass the bill quickly and without changes.

Debassige said, “Canada needs to finally take responsibility for getting rid of discrimination in its own laws.” “Indian Act status is not the same as First Nation citizenship, but the federal government needs to stop using legal tools that help erase our people.”
The Nation also recognized the many generations of families who have fought against these unfair rules, some by going to court and others by constantly speaking out and teaching their communities.

Grand Council Chief Debassige said, “This moment belongs to the families who refused to be erased.” “Because of their strength, Canada has had to face a truth it has been ignoring for too long: discrimination is not an accident; it is a choice. And today, the Senate made a different choice.

The Anishinabek Nation is still committed to pushing for the full passage and implementation of the bill now that it is in the hands of the House of Commons. They stand with all families who are still dealing with the effects of colonial laws.

Debassige concluded, “We honour every family that has fought, appealed, or just waited for Canada to do the right thing.” “You have carried this weight for generations, and Canada must not let you down again.”