Changing the production of status cards by INAC in Ottawa early in 2009 to create "secure" card
A recent news release from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (see below) highlights some of the changes that First Nations can expect "early in 2009" when a new status card is required. For more information about INAC's plans for producing these new "secure" status cards visit the INAC web site at http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/pub/ywtk/ifk-eng.asp.
From http://www.kahnawake.com/news/pr/pr08282008a.pdf
Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke
P.O. Box 720 Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory JOL 1B0
Phone: (450) 632-7500 Fax: (450) 638-5958
Web Site: www.Kahnawake.com E-mail: communications@mck.ca
Enhsakotò:kénhte Nitiotié:ren Tsi Ietsenhaientáhkhwa
Tsi Nahóten Karihwanákere No’nenk
News Release
INAC to issue new Secure Status Cards
(Kahnawà:ke – 28, Seskéha/August 2008) This announcement is being provided to the community in the public interest and does not necessarily constitute the political endorsement by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke:
“The MCK has received notification from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) that the issuance of new Secure Certificates of Indian Status (“status cards”) will begin in the spring of 2009.
This will replace the existing status card, which has few security features and has been known to be altered, forged or counterfeited for fraudulent purposes. All existing status cards will remain valid for the five-year period stated on the individual’s card (the expiry date can be found at the back of most current cards). According to INAC, there is no need to renew the current card unless the holder intends to use it for Canada/US border crossing or other urgent purposes.
For security reasons, the cards will be printed nationally at only one centralized printing facility. Currently, the MCK’s Membership Department processes status cards for those on the Mohawk Registry; at some point next year, this will no longer be the case. However, the Membership Department will continue to be an intake/information center.
More detailed information will be forthcoming from the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke.
“Until the time when all Kahnawa’kehró:non will be able to use the Haudenosaunee passport, this is the recognized piece of identification for travel between Canada and the United States,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhrhon Delisle, Jr. “We will continue our work to ensure that Kahnawà:ke’s right to determine the membership requirements of the community will be fully respected.”
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For further information, please contact:
Joe Delaronde, Political Press Attaché Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke
450-632-7500 joe.delaronde@mck.ca