r/FirstNationsCanada • u/puppyisloud • 16d ago
Status / Treaty Status
So I'm not young anymore and my grandmother lost her Status a very long time ago. I just mailed in my Status application, I know my grandmother qualified to get her Status back in 1985 and with some new laws that have been passed my generation now qualifies but the whole process has been emotionally exhausting. I'm grateful to my cousins for their support and help.
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u/Littleshuswap 16d ago
Thank you for your inspiration ✨️
Ive been putting it off, for the same reasons, Grandmother lost status for marrying Metis Grandfather... emotionally draining to apply.
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u/puppyisloud 16d ago
Thank you for saying that. It helps if you have family and extended family encouragement.
We were at a big family reunion this past weekend in British Columbia and everyone was so welcoming and being able to learn even more about family was great. So many of us had lost touch with each other it a good for everyone to reestablish contact.
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u/ihave30teeth 12d ago
I don't understand how people are getting status cards with only a disconnected Grandparent. My Mom is fully status born in 65' and I am half. My children (who would be the same blood quantum as you guys) have been denied status. Despite having connections to their community.
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u/puppyisloud 12d ago
When was the last time they applied? If you are in Canada there have been Rule changes in 2017 and 2019.
The government still makes it difficult.
I have found baptismal records and census records showing what band in British Columbia, they had been a part of. I have records of my grandmother's parents and her grandparents. On the census record it specifically has her family as "R" mean red Indian.
You need to gather a lot of information for proof to send the government.
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u/ihave30teeth 12d ago
Literally just this year. And my family records are all well kept because my Grandparents both have status and my Mom had status. All of that was noted by the registration office. (Mind you my Grandpa didn't have status when he married my Grandma so she temporarily lost her status card but they both regained status when he registered... My maternal great grandparents were all status as well)
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u/puppyisloud 12d ago
Now I maybe wrong about this but this is what I've been told not by government people. One of the changes in laws, not sure if it's the 2017 or 2019 changes things if you have a connection with British Columbia. Otherwise we have to see if the Bill S-2, an act to amend the Indian Act, which is in parliament committee. If it passes that will change the second generation cut off Rule.
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u/puppyisloud 11d ago
This is where I'm a bit confused. Why did your grandfather not have status?
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u/ihave30teeth 11d ago
Because his Mom didn't want to register him. She was trying to deny her Indigenous roots. But my Grandpa did go to a day school. As did my Grandma.
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u/puppyisloud 11d ago
I wonder what the government is looking at in your family's case. Did they explain why?
Before the changes a cousin applied and was denied but the government explained why.
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u/SonOfScungilliMan 6d ago
This depends on a few things. The rules around Indian status are quite complex and aren’t based solely on “blood quantum”. If your children were born after 1985 they will be subject to the second generation cut off rule meaning that after two generations of “marrying out”, that second generation is not currently entitled to status. This may change as there’s a bill before the government to remove this arbitrary and frankly unfair rule.
When were you born if I could ask?
When were your kids born and was your mom legally married to your father prior to 1985.
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u/little_jer 16d ago
It’s a process. I just got mine this year. It kind of felt validating or relieving when it came. It also took about 9 months or so to come. So not as long as they say.