> The Indian Act contains a complicated formula based on the Indian status of the parents to determine who gets status and who does not. For instance, if a status Indian has a child with a non-status Indian, that child will get status, but the child cannot pass status on to their children 

You'd think the author would have spent a bit of time getting this basic fact right. 

A friend of mine's mother was Cree. His father was non-status. In the mid-80's when they changed the Indian Act, he was able to obtain Indian status. And he has been able to pass that on to his son (who actually is adopted, and so has no biological connection). However his son cannot pass his status on to his children. 

So this "complicated formula" is as follows: 

If you marry a non-status person, you can pass your status onto your children and grand children. But after that it stops. This defines what the Federal Government will pay for. 

The band can admit whomever wants, however, sans benefits.