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 AMC press release

March 16, 2009

PLEASE FIND BELOW AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCMENT TO ALL FIRST NATION CITIZENS:

As of April 14, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will change the process for obtaining status cards.

First Nation people will not be able to obtain a new status card without an original copy of their birth certificate, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) said in a press release.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs wants all First Nations to know that as of April 14, 2009, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is changing the process for obtaining status cards. First Nation people will NOT be able to get new status cards without an ORIGINAL copy of their birth certificate, and will have to wait more than 2 weeks to receive the card. If you need a card now, get it BEFORE April 14!

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From INAC web site  

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will be issuing a new Secure Certificate of Indian Status in mid-2009. (After the new card is launched, your current Status card will continue to be valid until it reaches its renewal date.)

In order to apply for the new card, you will need to present certain identity documents along with your application.

Registered Indians 16 years and older will need:

1. Your old Status card;
2. Your original birth certificate (long or short form); AND
3. A valid passport (or other form of identification*)

If your old Status card is damaged or lost, you will need:

1. A statutory declaration (confirming status);
2. Your original birth certificate (long or short form); AND
3. A valid passport (or TWO other forms of identification*)

If you have never been issued a Status card, you will need:

1. Your original birth certificate (long or short form); AND
2. A valid passport (or TWO other forms of identification*)

Children 15 years of age and under will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a valid form of photo identification. (Legal guardians will also require documentation of guardianship.) The child will need to present an original birth certificate (long or short form) and one piece of ID.

*Other valid forms of identification include:

• Driver's license (provincial or territorial)
• Student ID (with digitized photograph)
• Government-issued employee ID card (with digitized photograph)
• Other federal, provincial/territorial ID card
• An ID card from one of the 29 INAC recognized self-governing First Nations (with digitized photograph)

For more information please call 1 800 O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) TTY: 1-800-926-9105. More detailed information on the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status will be available closer to the launch date.