Treaty Cards Not Yet Enough For Border Crossings

Treaty Cards Not Yet Enough For Border Crossings

Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 15:43

The federal government says new enhanced treaty cards to allow First Nations people to cross the U.S. border won’t be ready by June 1 as previously hoped.

So, status Indians wishing to cross the border are advised to bring extra identification.

Indian Affairs spokesman Trevor Sutter says items such as birth certificates, driver’s licenses and health cards will do. Status cards are not sufficient.

John Beaucage, a candidate for Assembly of First Nations grand chief, says that arrangement is okay for now, but he feels it’s not enough.

Beaucage says special First Nations citizenship cards should be developed, in accordance with the long-term goal of self-government. He says Firs Nations people should have their own jurisdiction in this matter.

Sutter says it’s not known when the new treaty cards will be ready.