The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada says First Nations can't enact their own banishment and disenrollment laws.

The department says the Indian Act doesn't authorize First Nations to enact banishment laws. Criminal activities are covered by other laws, a spokesperson said.

That hasn't stopped the Norway House Cree Nation of Manitoba from enacting a law to banish people from the reserve. "We've been seeing an escalation in violence, in gang-related activity, and drugs," Chief Marcel Balfour told The Winnipeg Free Press.

The law requires offenders to get help. If they refuse, their membership can be revoked.

Get the Story:
Norway House reserve aims to banish offenders (CBC 8/26)
Get help or get off reserve, bylaw says (The Winnipeg Free Press 8/27)