Correction re: New Indian Status Certificates information

02/18/2009

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke would like to inform the community that a letter published in the February 13th edition of the Eastern Door (“Obtaining a native status card”) contains erroneous information that needs to be corrected/clarified. While we do not represent INAC on this matter, we feel we are obliged to inform community Kahnawa’kehró:non who may be considering the route suggested by the writer.

The writer claims to have obtained a Status Card at the INAC offices in Gatineau (Hull), Quebec, without having to show a birth certificate. While this may technically be correct, the fact is no Secure Certificates of Indian Status (SCIS) are being given out at this time. Status cards currently being issued through INAC are the interim “Pilot Project” cards. While these Pilot Project cards can be used for identification and tax exemption purposes within Canada (until they reach their expiration dates), they will NOT be accepted for border crossing purposes by the United States after June 1st, 2009.

As stated previously, Kahnawà:ke’s INAC Lands and Estates office and the MCK’s Social Development Unit and are now in the midst of a special joint early registration process for the new Secure Certificates of Indian Status.

Those applying for a new Secure Certificates will be required to provide an original birth certificate (photocopies will not be accepted) and two pieces of identification (i.e. driver’s license, current INAC status card, old age security card, government issued employee card, other government issued ID, student ID with digitized photo of applicant or passport).

The general release of the new Secure Certificates is scheduled for April of this year.