New Bill Will Give Indian Status To Thousands

New Bill Will Give Indian Status To Thousands

Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 13:24

 

 

The federal government has introduced legislation today that will give Indian status to an estimated 45,000 more people across the country.

 

They are grandchildren of First Nations women who lost status as a result of marrying non-Native men.

 

A B-C court ordered Ottawa to amend the Indian Act prior to April 6th to amend provisions in the Act that were deemed disciminatory.

 

Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl says the broader issues of registration, membership, important treaty realities and cultural perspectives will be explored through a joint process that will be developed with various Aboriginal groups.

 

However, the government says new status Indians will be added to the band list of their parent’s band, if it is a First Nations whose membership is determined by Indian Affairs.

 

For any new status Indian who is affiliated with a band which determine its own membership under provisions of the Indian Act, those individuals will have to apply for membership — but they will still retain their status, whatever the outcome.

 

The New Democrats say, while they welcome the legislation, they are concerned that the government has not yet provided any new funds to meet the financial impact this change will have on band councils.

 

NDP Aboriginal Affairs Critic Jean Crowder says there was no mention in the Throne Speech or the budget about covering the costs of the benefits for these additional status Indians.

 

Crowder also notes the legislation does not deal with status issues for children whose parents or grandparents were disenfranchised, illegitimate daughters who were denied status and the broader issue of the second-generation cut-off.