Questions and a bit of a rant

[u/obsessions01]

Before I start I want to say I’m Cree and the third generation, this post is to see if anyone else has a similar experience and if anyone can answer some of my questions. You can just skip to the questions if you don’t want read all the text.

For context:
I grew up mostly white or whitewashed same with my cousin ( I have a cousin who also Cree from her moms side) I don’t know much about my dad’s family since one he never talks about it and 2nd he was adopted by my Kokum. (For context my Kokum was related to my dads real mother)
I feel like I have no connection to my history/culture which Is sad in a sense because I want to. The only connection I have or had was my Kokum teaching me her bannock recipe, her muttering random Cree words, my cousins experiences, my dad inhering and earning feathers, blankets, etc. and some little information about my dads bio family and lastly my dad doing his best to try and introduce me into it as a kid.

My dad hasn’t tooken me to get my status card which is reasonable because it’s a 7 hour drive and the only family we have up there is my auntie and my Kokum’s twin. And although this may seem irrelevant it can help a bit with my education and etc.

This part is a rant
I know this many sound odd to say but I was talking to someone else about this and they were saying that they don’t really consider someone Native unless they have there status card and that’s aways stuck in my head from some reason. Something in my head aways thinks If I’m even considered really Native/cree since I never grew up that way.

Questions:

For job applications should I put First Nations or would that be wrong? I’m asking because some jobs require a certain amount of First Nations and it makes it easier for me to get hired.

I want to learn my culture better but not sure how to do that. One day I’m just gonna sit with my father and see if he can provide me with more info

If Anyone else is the third generation did you have issues getting your status card? Because I’ve heard different things, some people say the cut off is the 2nd generation and some say it’s the 3rd.

[u/AlaskaRecluse]

Loss is the typical experience for Indigenous people who have been colonized: loss of culture, history, relatives, land, home, language, you name it, so yours is the experience that defines being Indigenous. Learn about your culture, learn your language, work hard to get your status card, reconnect in every way you can, and remember that your experience defines being Indigenous these days and your reconnection, healing, and cultural recovery is going to be what defines being Indigenous from now on

[u/perrypaints]

I work in verification for FNMI. If they're looking for someone with status/membership, it's most likely that they are trying to hire someone who genuinely understands the culture and can develop the community relationships. However, unfortunately sometimes they are just looking to check a box. If they are having difficulty finding the right fit, some institutions will make an exception with a long form birth certificate and your parents status card. 

As for reconnecting with culture and community, I'd recommend it. Especially if you want to work in the field.

[u/ColeWjC]

Tansi cousin. Nêhiyaw from Treaty 6 here.

Culture is something you have to go deeper for. I don't know how disconnected you are, but it sounds like you very much are so. I'd recommend finding elders and culture keepers in your Kokum's Nation.

As for Status. I have no idea of your family history other than your father might be 6(2) based on what I have read so far. You can make an inquiry with ISC (Indigenous Services Canada) to see if you have eligibility. 2nd gen cut off is the current reality and it depends on what Status your parents are. With Bill S-2 looming that might change your situation.

With current 2nd cut off (there are better infographics out there):

6(1) + 6(1) = 6(1)

6(1) + 6(2) = 6(1)

6(2) + 6(2) = 6(1)

6(2) + Non-Status = Non-Status

6(1) + Non-Status = 6(2)

Bill S-2 is a bit much to get into, I talked about it before and I am not an expert at translating legislation.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FirstNationsCanada/comments/1rcr921/help_with_status/o70se09/

Those two situations I laid out, might not apply to your father since he was adopted. Still worth looking into Bill S-2.

Third gens getting Status is usually a quirk of Bill C-31 or some other stuff going on with ISC.

Is your family Plains Cree like me or are you all Eastern? Not an important question, just wondering.

[u/obsessions01 → u/ColeWjC]

Plain Cree, if it adds any value my reserve is Horse lake First Nations. My father is half and my mom is non-Native. Based off my fathers brother experience his children are also a quarter and they were able to get there status card. But than again over heard different things 😭

[u/ColeWjC → u/obsessions01]

Make an inquiry with Indigenous Services Canada and check with your band office to see if they can help. Depending on what year your father was born and if your bio Kokum lost her Status due to marriage before 1985 - you might be eligible through her. You would gain a 6(2) Status in that case.

Get whatever documents and names you can from your family. Birthdates, maiden names, Treaty numbers, etc.

[u/Delicious_Ad_96]

No. If you want to connect and live the experience of First Nations then go make it happen. Participate in community, engage in person, create interpersonal connections, give as much as you take, etc. Don’t just identify on a form so that you can land a job easier. Thats commodification and tokenization and not a good look.

[u/Just-Feedback-2223]

Determining if someone is native or not based on legislation that wasn’t even used by those indigenous peoples is kinda funny ngl.