The act introduced several policies and regulations for the supervision of Indigenous peoples in Canada, notably the establishment of elected band councils.
Only those persons designated by the Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs were entitled to land ownership in reserves.
Section 11 listed that such Chiefs were responsible for the "roads, bridges, ditches and fences within their Reserve to be put and maintained in proper order."
"[2]: 253 Persons of "less than one-fourth Indian blood" could no longer share in the monies paid to the band or body.
If a married Indigenous man became enfranchised, they lost their Indian status, along with his wife and children.