Feds Developing High-Tech Status Cards

Monday, May 07, 2007 at 13:43

 

 

There is a report Indian Affairs will spend $30 million over five years to come up with a new high-tech form of Aboriginal identification.

 

The Winnipeg Free Press says federal documents show that fraud and misuse of the current paper status cards costs roughly $33 million a year.

 

The cards entitle status Indians to everything from free drug care and tax-free purchases, to jobs in the United States.

 

Assembly of First Nations regional chief John Beaucage says his organization has been working with Indian Affairs to develop a card that might include features such as biometrics.

 

(courtesy of the Winnipeg Free Press and Broadcast News)