Lynn Gehl’s grandmother belonged to the Pikwakanagan First Nation, one of hundreds of indigenous groups in Canada whose members are entitled to specific services and legal rights. But Ms. Gehl, a 55-year-old writer, had to fight 22 years in court to win any of those rights, and cannot pass them on to her children, because her indigenous lineage comes through the female line, and so is not recognized under Canadian law.

“I should be able to pass on my status but I can’t because of gender discrimination,” she said.

Now that may change.

The Canadian Senate approved legislation last week to amend a 141-year-old law that has prevented indigenous women and their descendants from obtaining the same rights allotted to indigenous men, including some tax breaks, the ability to vote for indigenous governments, access to land on reserves and expanded health care coverage.

The House of Commons is expected to pass the bill.

“Our government is committed to working with First Nations, parliamentarians, impacted individuals and experts to ensure all gender-based discrimination is eliminated from registration under the Indian Act,” the office of Carolyn Bennett, the minister for indigenous relations, said in a statement.