_{^{New Information Regarding New Secure Certificates of Indian Status (SCIS)}}

_{^{Status Cards}}

_{^{Q.1 What is a certificate of Indian Status or Status card and why does INAC issue it?}}

_{^{The Certificate of Indian Status (CIS), more commonly referred to as a Status card, is an identity document issued for administrative reasons by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to confirm that the cardholder is registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act.}}

_{^{Q.2 Who is eligible for a Status card and what is it used for?}}

_{^{Any individual registered as an Indian under the Indian Act is eligible for a Status card, regardless of age, and can voluntarily apply for a card. The Status card is provided to assist registered Indians in accessing a wide range of entitlements, programs and services administered by federal agencies, provincial governments and other private sector program and service providers. Many of these organizations use the Status card as the main or sole proof that a person is entitled to receive the benefits.}}

_{^{Q.3 Will I be charged a fee to obtain or renew my Status card? And is the Status card compulsory?}}

_{^{No, the Government of Canada will not be charging you any fees to obtain or renew your Status card. This card is NOT compulsory, but will help you obtain all the benefits you are entitled to as a registered Indian quickly and efficiently.}}

_{^{Q.4 Why and how often do Status cards need to be renewed?}}

_{^{Renewals are necessary to comply with international standards (ICAO) and because a cardholder's personal information and photograph require updating. Renewal dates for Status cards are automatically linked with the cardholder's date of birth. For those 16 years of age and over, the SCIS will be renewable every five years on or before the individual's birthday. For those 15 years of age and under the SCIS will be renewable every three years on or before the cardholder's birthday.}}

_{^{Q.5 Why is INAC creating a new and improved Status card?}}

_{^{This initiative is called the Secure Certificate of Indian Status SCIS Project. It originated through a joint initiative between the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the Lands and Trust Services Sector of INAC and a related project with Treaty 7 First Nation. The goal is to address the need for increased security features on Status cards so issues of stolen identity and fraud could be reduced or eliminated. The current version of the Status card is a laminated paper document that is a laminated paper document that is not protected from forgery or counterfeiting. It can easily be misused through alteration or illegal reproduction. This has caused problems in accessing benefits for some legally entitled First Nation individuals and has led to significant pressures to replace the current card with a card that incorporates the security features of a modern indentification document.}}

_{^{The new SCIS features several security improvements that significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized alterations or duplication. This helps to ensure the ongoing integrity of the programs and services by protecting them from incidences of fraud and identity theft. Status Indians will have easier access to the services and benefits for which they are eligible to receive since service providers will have renewed confidence knowing these cards are legitimate.}}

_{^{Q.6 How will the secure cards be an improvement?}}

_{^{The enhanced version of the Status card incorporates modern national and international standards for document security. The prototype card has been designed as a result of a survey, focus group testing several evaluations led by the Canada Border Services Agency. This secure version of the Status card will include specialized graphic design elements and enhanced security features that will protect the privacy of the cardholder while minimizing the opportunity for unauthorized alteration, duplication or use. Once we begin to issue the SCIS, all earlier paper laminated versions will no longer be issued. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will ensure that all cardholders are made aware of any potential changes in a timely manner.}}

_{^{The SCIS represents the Government of Canada's continued commitment to strengthening its relationship with First Nations individuals and organizations. All partners continue to work to address concerns around teh current Status cards and the broader goal of improving the overall quality of Canada's Aboriginal peoples by ensuring that those eligible to receive services and benefits are able to access them quickly and efficiently.}}

_{^{Q.7 What are the accepted forms of identification required to obtain a SCIS?}}

_{^{Applicants are required to provide their previous status card, an original birth certificate, plus one of the following identity documents:}}

_{^{* driver's licence (provincial or territorial * federal/provincial/territorial ID card * an ID card from one of the 29 INAC recognized self-governing First Nations (with digitalized photo) * student ID (with digitalized photo) * valid passport}}

_{^{These documents are used to verify an individual's identity. They will be viewed and matched with the entitlement information in the Indian Register for validation purposes only. Once completed, the application for a SCIS will be processed. For more detailed information on what documents are required please visit the applicatoin information section on our website at www.inac-ainc.gc.ca}}

_{^{Q.8 What are the advantages of introducing the SCIS?}}

_{^{A broad range of potential advantages, both direct and indirect, will result from introducing the SCIS. Immediate benefits include improved client service, ease of use and fewer cards being rejected or questioned by service providers. Cardholders will have easier access to the programs and services they are legally entitled to receive. It also means faster processing of transactions, a reduction in identity fraud and misuse related to the existing card, and reduced complexity in accessing programs and services.}}

_{^{Q.9 Will the SCIS contain a microchip or smart card features? No.}}

_{^{Q.10 Are there any changes in the type of personal data on the secure card?}}

_{^{No. The secure card will contain the same data as the current paper laminated Status card, however, you will notice there are more fields of information on the new SCIS. These fields contain non-personal data (i.e. issuance date).}}

_{^{Q.11 Where are the Status cards issued and will First Nations continue to be involved in the card issuance process? How long will it take to obtain a SCIS?}}

_{^{Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Headquarters, Regional and District offices and about 485 Indian Registry Administrators (IRAs) locatesd at First Nations' offices issue Status cards.}}

_{^{Once the SCIS is in place the only change to the issuance process is that the actual cards will be printed at a National Print Centre. First Nation IRAs and INAC offices will continue to process the applications. Once printed, the secure cards will be mailed direct to the individual or sent to the First Nations IRAs and INAC officers who will then contact the individual to arrange for pick-up, which should happen within a couple of weeks of the appliction being submitted for processing.}}

_{^{Q.12 When will the SCIS be available?}}

_{^{Indian and Northern Affairs Canada intends to begin issuing the Secure Certificate of Indian Status in mid-2009. This phase of the project will likely take up to a year to complete as it involves many INAC offices and up to 485 Indian Registry Administrators.}}

_{^{Q.13 Will the SCIS be accepted for Canada-United States border crossing?}}

_{^{The Certificate of Indian Status is currently accepted as a travel documentation for visiting the United States by land or water; however, after June 1, 2009, older versions of the Status card will no longer be considered valid documents for crossing the Canada-US border. On March 7, 2008, the United States proposed to accept the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status as a valid document for visiting the United States via land and water. This proposal was conditional on the cards satisfying the United States Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements.}}

_{^{The Government of Canada is working with U.S. officials to ensure that the SCIS will be accepted as a valid document for visiting the United States after the implementation of the United States Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) - June 1, 2009. Other documents such as a passport, NEXUS card or Enhanced Driver's Licence will continue to be accepted as valid border-crossing documents under the WHTI.}}

_{^{INAC will inform all First Nations of any developments on this important issue for First Nation citizens through www.inac.gc.ca.}}

_{^{Q.14 Will the SCIS enable First Nations persons born in Canada to travel to the United States to live or work without obtaining an alien registration card (green card) or work permit?}}

_{^{Laws of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization require that First Nations persons born in Canada have at least 50 per cent Aboriginal blood quantum to enter the United States to live or work without a green card or work permit. Canadian Law is different in that registration as an Indian under the provisions of the Indian Act is not based on percentage of Indian blood quantum. Under previous Indian Acts, it was possible for non-Indians to gain Indian status through marriage. Under the current Act, non-Indians can gain status through adoption by registered Indians.}}

_{^{As such, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization usually requests than an individual provide a letter of blood quantum from his or her First Nation or a letter from an INAC office verifying an individual's Indian ancestry. For further information, check the First Nations and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative website www.getyouhome.gov.}}

_{^{Q.15 Is there a link between the SCIS and the Jay Treaty?}}

_{^{No. The Jay Treaty of 1794 provided free border crossing rights for "the Indians dwelling on either side of the boundary line" between Upper and Lower Canada and the United States, and exemption from duty or taxes on their "own proper goods" when crossing the border. After the War of 1812, the Treaty of Ghent between Britain and the United States was intended to restore the border crossing rights of the Jay Treaty, but legislation implementing these rights in Upper Canada lapsed. Because of this, the Jay Treaty is not recognized in Canada. There is therefore no link between the SCIS and the Jay Treaty.}}

_{^{In the 1920s, the United States changed its immigration laws and ever since Canadian-born people with at least 50 per cent Aboriginal blood can enter, live in and work in the United States without immigrant restrictions.}}

_{^{Q.16 Can First Nations expect any changes concerning the ways SCIS will be used?}}

_{^{There are no changes planned as to how INAC will use the SCIS. This is largely a matter determined by service or program providers outside of INAC. However, INAC will take steps to raise awareness among cardholders, service providers and all government agencies of the new SCIS as a valid and credible proof of Indian status.}}

_{^{Q.17 How will stakeholders such as service providers and provinces/territories be made aware of the implementation of the SCIS?}}

_{^{An information campaign will be launched to inform all stakeholders of the SCIS implementation plan.}}

_{^{Q.18 After the SCIS is introduced, how many different versions of valid Status cards will there be?}}

_{^{There will be a short transition period while INAC and Indian Registry Administrators' offices are provided with equipment necessary to process and activate the SCIS. As soon as the SCIS processing equipment is available regionally and at the First Nation level, only the SCIS will be issued. During this transition period, four versions of the card will co-exist: the paper laminated version, the pilot Status cards and the SCIS. Older versions of the Status card will remain valid until their renewal date, or for a five year period after the new SCIS is introduced.}}

_{^{Q.19 How is personal information appearing on Status cards protected under Privacy legislation?}}

_{^{Privacy is a key element for all aspcets of this project. Personal information contained in the Indian Register and maintained by INAC is protected under the federal Privacy Act. Any concerns regarding this Act should be directed to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at the toll-free number of 1-8000-282-1376. Further information is available on the Privay Commissioner of Canada website.}}

_{^{Status cards containing personal information from the Indian Register are issued to individuals only with their consent in the form of a signed Application for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status. Once a Status card is issued to an individual, it is then the responsibility of the individual to protect the card and the information it contains.}}

_{^{Q.20 Do service providers and other organizations have access to the information contained in the SCIS? What will they do with the information?}}

_{^{Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has no ability to control how service providers and other organizations use the information. It is up to the individual cardholders to decide if they want to voluntarily allow such organizations to have access to the information on their card. Keep in mind that the MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) contains no more information than is already clearly visible on the card. Once a cardholder voluntarily allows a service provider or other organization access to the Status card, the information that is visbly present on the card is then available to that business or organization.}}

_{^{Q.21 Can I apply for the SCIS by mail?}}

_{^{Due to the security measures associated with the Secure Certificate of Indian Status SCIS, mail-in applications will not normally be accepted. However, if circumstances prevent you from applying in person, please contact your Regional INAC office.}}

_{^{For further information related to your eligibility to be registered as a Status Indian, or to obtain a SCIS once you are registered, contact any IRA or INAC office. Further information regarding the SCIS is available by telephoning toll-free 1-800-567-9604, emailing InfoPubs@ainc-inac.gc.ca or viewing the INAC website.}}

_{^{Further information relating to various benefit entitlements can be found at the following websites:}}

_{^{Benefits Information, Non-Insured Health Benefits, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Health Canada at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/index-eng.php or 1-800-259-5611}}

_{^{Status Indians, Aboriginal Peoples, Canada Revenue Agency - http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/brgnls/ndns-eng.html or 1-613-598-2275}}

_{^{Dental 1-888-332-9222}}