Gradual Civilization Act
The Act to Encourage the Gradual Civilization of Indian Tribes in this Province, and to Amend the Laws Relating to Indians (commonly known as the Gradual Civilization Act) was a bill passed by the 5th Parliament of the Province of Canada in 1857. The act established a voluntary process through which any recognized male Indian (indigenous person) could apply to become "enfranchised", wherein they would lose their legal "Indian status" and become a regular British subject.