1951 marked some of the most significant changes to the Indian Act and many oppressive policies were repealed. It was no longer illegal for First Nations people to participate in ceremonies or appear in ceremonial dress outside the reserve. These changes made it possible to hire lawyers and First Nations women could now vote in band elections, although First Nations people with Indian status were still unable to vote in federal elections. Other changes to the Act in 1951 gave more jurisdiction over reserve affairs to provincial governments. This included child welfare, and enabled social workers to remove children from their homes, the beginning of the Sixties Scoop.