What has often struck me curious is through all of the conferences, conventions, agreements, etc. over many, many years, I don't recall if I've ever heard a call for abolishment from any FN or their NGOs. up until today. Wab characterizes it as a race-based identity, but it carries a lot with it, including First Nations Territories - those plots of land held in trust by the Crown for their "use and benefit" and boatloads of federal money to keep them operating. You can't have a status, benefit or consideration set apart from other Canadians without some form of legislation. It might well be an Indian Act by another name.
It will be interesting to see what the various visions are, considering that FNs are not a single bloc across the country.