"Status Indians" refers to individuals who are registered under the Indian Act in Canada. This designation grants them specific rights and benefits, including access to certain government programs and services. The term is used to distinguish these individuals from "Non-Status Indians," who do not have the same legal recognition. The Indian Act, enacted in 1876, governs various aspects of Indigenous life in Canada, including land use and governance. Status Indians may belong to a recognized First Nation or Indigenous community, which plays a crucial role in their identity and connection to their heritage.