Since the Indian Act of 1876, the Government of Canada has imposed the structures by which Aboriginal people currently govern themselves.
Each community is governed by a Band Council, consisting of a Chief and Councillors. Elected by members of the community, the Band Council has great responsibilities: for example, it deals with health, education, employment and culture, fields of action that are managed by the Government of Quebec for non-Aboriginals. For some Nations, a Grand Council brings together representatives from different communities to make decisions that concern the whole nation.
The Inuit do not have a band council. They live in municipalities and the municipal council is composed of a mayor and councillors. The Makivik Corporation represents all Nunavik Inuit with the governments of Quebec and Canada.