Collaborative Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and First Nation Citizenship: Engagement
Current status: Closed
This engagement began on June 12, 2018 and was scheduled to close March 31, 2019. Due to scheduling challenges, some consultation activities took place in April 2019.
On this page
Why
In July 2016, the Government of Canada launched its approach to respond to the Descheneaux decision by the Superior Court of Quebec. The approach includes two parts:
- legislative changes to immediately amend the Indian Act through Bill S-3: An Act to amend the Indian Act in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Descheneaux c. Canada (Procureur général)
- collaborative process on Indian registration, band membership and First Nation citizenship
Bill S-3 received royal assent on December 12, 2017.
About the engagement
On June 12, 2018, the Government of Canada officially launched the collaborative process on Indian registration, band membership and First Nation citizenship.
Discussions will focus on:
- the implementation of the delayed coming-into-force clauses in Bill S-3 relating to the removal of the 1951 cut-off
- the remaining inequities related to registration and membership under the Indian Act
- First Nations' exclusive responsibility for determining membership or citizenship (moving beyond the Indian Act)
Full details on the collaborative process, including timelines and consultation materials are available in the consultation plan.
Who
The collaborative process was designed to be as inclusive as possible. As such, we are seeking input from:
- First Nations
- tribal councils
- treaty organizations
- national Indigenous organizations
- regional Indigenous organizations
- friendship centers
- Elders
- Indigenous women
- impacted individuals
- band registration/membership experts
- off-reserve individuals (urban and rural)
- youth
- non-status individuals
- Métis
- non-recognized individuals who self-identify as Indigenous
- descendants of impacted individuals
- legal experts
- scholars
- special interest organizations
Other government departments, as well as the provinces and territories are also being consulted.
How to participate
Community sessions
Community sessions are being organized by First Nations and Indigenous groups across the country. Please contact your First Nation or Indigenous organizations directly if you would like to participate in their consultation activities.
Regional events
Fifteen regional events will be held across the country. Participation in these events is by invitation only. The Minister's Special Representative will invite First Nation communities, tribal councils and regional organizations to send a representative to one of these events.
Online survey
The online survey closed March 31, 2019.
Written submissions
We also invite you to send us submissions on these issues by email at aadnc.fncitizenship-citoyennetepn.aandc@canada.ca.
Expert panels
Through expert panels, Indigenous experts and scholars will provide the MSR with substantive input on the development of options for First Nations to exercise the exclusive responsibility for the determination of the identity of their members or citizens. Participation in these events is by invitation only.
When and where
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Whitehorse, YT | November 29-30, 2018 |
| Prince Albert, SK | December 13-14, 2018 |
| Yellowknife, "NWT | January 8-9, 2019 |
| Toronto, ON | January 21-22, 2019 |
| Ottawa, ON | January 24-25, 2019 |
| Halifax, NS | February 14-15, 2019 |
| Regina, SK | February 21-22, 2019 |
| Edmonton, AB | February 25-26, 2019 |
| Nanaimo, BC | March 7-8, 2019 |
| Vancouver, BC | March 11-12, 2019 |
| Prince George, BC | March 14-15, 2019 |
| Winnipeg, MB | March 18-19, 2019 |
| Quebec City, QC | March 21-22, 2019 |
| Thunder Bay, ON | March 25-26, 2019 |
| Edmonton, AB | April 15, 2019 |
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Moncton, NB | February 16, 2019 |
| Regina, SK | February 23, 2019 |
What we are hearing
Related links
Contact us
New Service Offerings
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
14th Floor Room 1455
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau QC K1A 0H4
Email: aadnc.fncitizenship-citoyennetepn.aandc@canada.ca
Toll-free number: 1-855-833-0033
Fax: 403-292-5393