• “Indigenous Peoples don’t pay taxes”
    • Only some status Indians are eligible for tax exemptions, and even then, it only applies in very limited situations — usually if they live or work on reserve. Most Indigenous Peoples do pay taxes like everyone else.
    • This myth is misleading and often used to downplay treaty rights or justify unfair treatment.
    • Indigenous Corporate Training offers a fantastic analysis of this myth and gives specific and detailed information as to what makes it simply a myth: https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/myth-status-indians-exempt-from-federal-or-provincial-taxes
  • “Indigenous Peoples get everything for free (housing, education, money)”
    • Indigenous housing is not “free” — it’s often underfunded, overcrowded, and in need of major repairs.
    • Only status Indians are eligible for federal post-secondary education funding, and even then, it’s limited and not guaranteed. Inuit, Métis, and non-status are ineligible.
    • Income supports, housing subsidies, and social services are often viewed as “free handouts,” but they are similar to programs offered to other low-income Canadians. What makes them different is that many of these supports come through federal departments (like Indigenous Services Canada) instead of provincial ones — not because they are special privileges, but because of Canada’s historic and legal obligations under treaties.
    • These programs are not “perks” — they were negotiated to support survival and well-being after colonization disrupted traditional ways of life and are often part of treaty agreements. Treaty rights aren’t gifts — they’re agreements made so Indigenous Peoples could survive after their lands were taken.
    • The Canadian Encyclopedia has a great comprehensive article explaining what our treaties are – and remember, if you are a Canadian, you also have a treaty obligation.
  • “Indigenous Peoples all live on reserves”
    • Not all Indigenous Peoples live on reserves — in fact, a large portion live in urban or rural areas across Canada. According to the 2016 Census, over half of all Indigenous Peoples live off-reserve.
    • People may move off-reserve for work, school, housing, or personal reasons. Living off-reserve doesn’t make someone less Indigenous, but many face identity questioning, racism, and disconnection from community as a result. For those living off-reserve, accessing services tied to status or community membership can also be harder.
    • Want to dig into the data? Here’s a report from Stats Canada that breaks down the differences in living conditions for Indigenous Peoples on and off reserves.
  • “Indigenous cultures, languages, and histories are all the same”
    • There are over 600 First Nations in Canada, with distinct cultures, languages, governance systems, and histories. In B.C. alone, over 200 communities represent 60% of Canada’s Indigenous languages. Treating all Indigenous Peoples as one homogenous group erases the diversity and complexity of their identities.
    • One response you could give if told this: “Would you ever say that about Europeans or Asians? There are over 600 First Nations in Canada alone”.
    • Curious about Indigenous language diversity? These resources from the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada explore Métis language, First Nations languages, and Inuit languages and writing systems:
  • “Indigenous Peoples are lazy or don’t want to work”
    • High unemployment in some communities is tied to lack of opportunities, poor infrastructure, and systemic barriers — not laziness. Additionally, for those living on reserves, many are far from schools, jobs, or healthcare. People want to work, but the systems around them often make it harder to do so.
    • “It’s not about effort — it’s about systems that make it hard to succeed.”
  • “Indigenous Peoples are naturally prone to alcoholism”
    • There is no scientific or genetic evidence that Indigenous Peoples are more likely to struggle with alcohol use.
    • This stereotype comes from colonial attitudes and decades of discriminatory media portrayals. The truth is, substance abuse rates across all populations are linked to poverty, lack of housing, mental health issues, and trauma — not race.
    • Studies show that people from all backgrounds are more likely to develop substance use problems when they experience poverty, racism, or childhood trauma. Indigenous Peoples have faced generations of systemic harm, including residential schools, forced relocation, and child welfare removals — all of which contribute to cycles of trauma.
    • Framing the issue as inherent perpetuates racism and ignores root causes.
  • “Residential schools are ancient history and people should get over it”
    • The last residential school closed in 1997 — not long ago. These institutions forcibly removed children from their families and subjected them to cultural erasure, physical abuse, and in many cases, death. The trauma continues across generations. Asking people to “get over it” shows a lack of understanding about grief, justice, and the ongoing impact of this violence.
  • “Indigenous Peoples can do whatever they want with their land and resources”
    • Indigenous land is not freely owned — reserves are held in trust by the federal government under the Indian Act. This means that the land belongs to the Crown and is managed for the “use and benefit” of the band, but not owned in the same way private land is.
    • Band members can’t easily sell, develop, or manage land without federal approval. In some areas, the government also retained sub-surface rights — meaning communities don’t control the minerals or resources underground.
    • Coastal nations often don’t have recognized rights to tidal lands or fisheries that have been theirs for generations.
    • Historically, parts of reserves were taken by the government for railroads, highways, or utilities — often without consent or compensation. Even today, many Indigenous communities must fight legal battles to protect their land and assert treaty rights.
    • Imagine living on land you can’t legally sell, develop, or mine — that’s not freedom.
  • “Indigenous  Peoples are disappearing/no longer exist”
    • This idea comes from colonial efforts to erase Indigenous Peoples through laws, policies, and violence. But Indigenous communities are growing — they’re the fastest-growing population in Canada.
    • The myth of disappearance is used to justify land theft and cultural erasure. Indigenous Peoples are still here, and always have been.
  • “Indigenous Peoples all fit into a few simple and familiar roles or identities”
    • These stereotypes often come from media, movies, and literature — not from Indigenous communities themselves. Some of the most common include:
      • The noble savage — a “natural” wise figure connected to the land but frozen in the past
      • The wise elder — mystical, soft-spoken, and only used to teach life lessons to non-Indigenous characters
      • The Indian princess — beautiful, quiet, and passive (e.g., Pocahontas), often romanticized in colonial narratives
      • The drunken warrior — violent, angry, and out of control
      • The stoic sidekick — loyal and silent, usually existing to support the white hero (e.g., Tonto)
    • These characters strip Indigenous Peoples of their real voices and identities. They ignore the complexity, modernity, and diversity of Indigenous life today. Indigenous Peoples are doctors, artists, teachers, business owners, and more.
    • Check out our Laureate page to see the variety of Indigenous excellence that Indspire has helped.

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