8. The Permit System

The Department of Indian Affairs had control over the financial transactions of Indian people. Sales and purchase transactions were strictly monitored under the Permit system.

Indian people needed a permit to:

• sell cattle and grain;
• sell a load of hay, firewood, lime, charcoal;
• sell produce grown on the Reserve; and
• buy groceries or clothes.

As Bands began to adopt elected forms of governments in the 1950's and 60's they began to acquire more authority and eventually superseded the Indian Agent.

The Permit system gradually disappeared. However, it remained in the Indian Act until 1995.