The portability of the rights and benefits of Indian status has been regulated by the Federal Government (according to the Indian Act) to serve as a "land right" as opposed to a "people right". This means that the benefits granted to status Indians are not portable off the reserve. First Nations leadership has always held the position that these rights are "people rights" to be enjoyed by all Indian/First Nations people regardless of where they reside - on or off their reserve.

Questions:

1. What is your position on the rights of status Indians - should the rights be attached to the land, or should they be people rights?

2. Provide TWO persuasive arguments to support your position.