I am of First Nation descent, do you think we get special priveleges?

Question:

I am of First Nation descent, do you think we get special priveleges?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: You may have the right to a share of any money distributed to First Nation members from the capital and revenue moneys belonging to the First Nation. This money usually comes from oiland gas royalties or from the proceeds from land claims settlements.
Registered Indians do not pay federal or provincial taxes on their personal and real property that is on a reserve. Personal property includes goods, services and income consistent with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) policies.
Since income is personal property, as a Registered (or entitled-to-be-registered) Indian, you may also be exempt from paying income tax on income earned on a reserve. For example, Registered Indians who work on a reserve do not pay federal or provincial taxes on their employment income. See the CCRA's June 1994 guidelines of "Indian Exemption on Employment Income."

Registered Indians do not pay federal or provincial sales taxes on personal and real property on a reserve. The federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) does not apply to on-reserve goods or to those goods acquired by a Registered Indian off-reserve, if the goods are delivered to a reserve by the vendor or the vendor's agent. Most provincial sales taxes are applied in a similar fashion. Special provincial rules may apply to items such as automobiles and alcohol. For example, in some provinces, an automobile must be registered to a reserve address to be tax exempt. For more information, contact the relevant provincial tax authorities.
Like all Canadian citizens, registered Indians who meet the eligibility requirements may receive social assistance and social services. These programs are provided by federal, provincial, territorial, municipal or First Nation governments, depending on where recipients live.

Registered Indians are also eligible for the universal social security benefits provided by the federal government to all Canadians, such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Guaranteed Income Supplement and Child Tax Benefit.

Based on your income and assets, you may get financial help from a financial institution following established lending criteria to obtain, purchase or renovate on-reserve housing. Because on-reserve property cannot be mortgaged by a private lender, security may be provided through Ministerial loan guarantees with the consent of your First Nation council. CMHC provides operating subsidies to First Nation councils for non-profit rental housing through its On-Reserve Rental Housing Program (Section 95).

CMHC's Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) is available to on-and off-reserve residents renovating existing housing. The program is administered on reserves by the First Nation councils or their designated housing authorities. Off reserves, the program is operated by CMHC and/ or the provincial or territorial government in co-operation with CMHC.

You can learn more about these programs by contacting your First Nation council, the Regional Director of Funding Services, DIAND, or the nearest CMHC office.