Collaborative Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and First Nation Citizenship: Consultation Plan

On June 12, 2019, the second report to parliament on the Collaborative Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and First Nation Citizenship was tabled.

Learn how the Government of Canada plans to consult on Indian registration, band membership and First Nations citizenship.

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Context

In August 2015, a decision was rendered in the Descheneaux case by the Superior Court of Quebec which declared key provisions of the Indian Act inoperative, because they unjustifiably violated equality rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by perpetuating sex-based inequities in eligibility for Indian registration between descendants of the male and female lines. The Descheneaux decision highlighted residual sex-based inequities in Indian registration carried forward following the 1985 and 2011 amendments to the Indian Act. It also brought to light the long-standing and unaddressed broader issues relating to Indian registration, band membership and First Nations citizenship.

In July 2016, the government launched its approach to respond to the Descheneaux decision. It includes two parts:

Legislative changes were introduced in October 2016 under Bill S-3. The act received royal assent on December 12, 2017 and came into force on December 22, 2017. Bill S-3 not only remedied the issues identified in the Descheneaux decision, it also includes provisions to remove what is commonly known as the 1951 cut-off (the practice of linking registration reform to the date of the creation of the modern Indian registry in 1951), but with a delayed coming into force to allow for consultation on an implementation plan. The act also requires that Canada consult broadly on issues around Indian registration, band membership and First Nations citizenship.

In addition, Bill S-3 requires that the government report back to each house of parliament on three separate occasions:

Finally, the legislation mandates that the consultation process must be conducted through the lens of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and, if applicable, the Canadian Human Rights Act.

The collaborative process will build on what First Nations and Indigenous groups raised in the 2011-2012 Archived: Exploratory Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and Citizenship.

Co-design of the collaborative process: October 2017 to March 2018

As part of the government's commitment to develop a collaborative process on issues relating to Indian registration, band membership, and First Nation citizenship, in response to the Descheneaux decision, and in line with the requirements laid out in Bill S-3, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) sought input from First Nations and Indigenous groups to co-design the consultations under the collaborative process from October 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018.

The co-design phase provided First Nations and Indigenous groups an opportunity to determine:

In total, 20 formal submissions were received, representing 182 communities. All input received during the co-design informed the consultation approach.

Key themes to ensure a successful consultation process that emerged during the co-design process included the need for:

We heard that, in addition to working closely with national Indigenous representative organizations, the process must also engage directly with First Nations, regional Indigenous groups, communities and impacted individuals.

On May 10, 2018, the government tabled A Report to Parliament on the Design of a Collaborative Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and First Nation Citizenship. The report provides information on the input received from First Nations and Indigenous groups on the design of the consultations and fulfills the first requirement under Bill S-3 for the government to a report back to parliament on the design of the consultation process.

Further, information obtained during the co-design phase indicated that the success of the consultation with First Nations, Indigenous groups and impacted individuals is dependent on the CIRNAC's ability to ensure that the many different Indigenous perspectives are considered.

We also heard that there should be involvement by Indigenous peoples throughout the consultation process. To help in this regard, CIRNAC established an Indigenous advisory panel in May 2018 to provide advice and guidance to the government throughout the collaborative process until the tabling of the June 2019 report to parliament on the results of the consultation.

This consultation plan will be a living document and regularly updated, based on what we hear could be improved and with other innovative consultation approaches we learn about throughout the process.

Indigenous advisory panel: May 2018 to June 2019

The Indigenous advisory panel membership consists of one member from each of the three national Indigenous organizations that represent individuals or partners who are significantly impacted by Indian Act registration, band membership or First Nations citizenship. Each organization selected its own representative. The organizations are:

The advisory panel will review documents, provide suggestions, and assist CIRNAC in developing materials to use during the collaborative process. In addition to this consultation plan, other items that may be put before the advisory panel for advice or guidance may include:

Suggestions raised by the advisory panel have been incorporated into the consultation approach.

Consultation approach

In keeping with Canada's commitment to reconciliation and a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples, the government is committed to working collaboratively with First Nations, Indigenous groups, and impacted individuals on an implementation plan to remove the 1951 cut-off as well as the broader and complex issues related to Indian registration, band membership and First Nations citizenship, with a view to future legislative reform.

During the co-design phase, input was sought for two general design questions:

In addition to what was legislated under Bill S-3, the analysis of the co-design input saw the emergence of three general content streams that will be considered through consultation.

Consultation content streams

1. The removal of the 1951 cut-off from the Indian Act

Discussions will focus on the implementation of the delayed coming-into-force clauses in Bill S-3 relating to the removal of the 1951 cut-off. First Nations will be consulted on how best to:

  • implement the changes
  • identify what resources are required
  • to ensure any unintended consequences are mitigated

2. Remaining inequities related to registration and membership under the Indian Act

These inequities were articulated in Bill S-3 and further clarified by the input received during the co-design phase. They include, but are not limited to:

  • issues of adoption
  • the second-generation cut-off
  • enfranchisement
  • related issues of resources and impacts on communities

3. First Nations exclusive responsibility for determining membership and citizenship (moving beyond the Indian Act)

Discussions will seek views on the development of options to devolve to First Nations the exclusive responsibility for the determination of the identity of their members or citizens.

Guiding principles

The input obtained from First Nations and Indigenous groups on the co-design of the collaborative process can be grouped into five key themes that will be used as guiding principles throughout the consultation process.

Information sharing

The collaborative process will begin with an information sharing period to facilitate informed discussions and ensure meaningful dialogues can take place during the consultation activities. Information will be disseminated through various means, including community sessions. A range of media will be used for information sharing, including online, social media, print, and non-print formats. All materials will be available in plain language. Information sharing sessions will be available throughout the collaborative process as needed.

Inclusiveness

The issues around Indian registration, band membership and First Nations citizenship are broad. They impact individuals, communities and First Nations. As such, the collaborative process will need to be as inclusive as possible to ensure the various perspectives are heard from a broad range of Indigenous people and groups from coast to coast to coast. Consultations will not be limited to Indigenous organizations or First Nations leadership.

Flexibility

To ensure a comprehensive process, consultations will include a variety of different methods and activities organized by First Nations, Indigenous groups, and government, including:

  • appointing a minister's special representative
  • regional events
  • community and group sessions
  • town halls
  • face-to-face discussions
  • interviews
  • an online survey available to everyone

Timing and duration

The collaborative process will allocate as much time as possible for consultation activities, including information sharing, organization and preparation, consultation, and having community sessions while respecting the legislated requirements to report to parliament by June 12, 2019. The timing of activities will take into account seasonal factors, linking sessions with existing events, and having weekend and evening sessions.

Support

Financial support for First Nations and Indigenous groups was available through a proposal-based process to participate in the collaborative process. In addition to having a minister's special representative, government representatives will be available to provide support and information on the process, issues and respond to questions.

Minister's Special Representative

An Indigenous Minister's Special Representative (MSR) was appointed by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to:

Claudette Dumont-Smith will bring valuable expertise to the collaborative process and will ensure comprehensive consultations that are inclusive and flexible. As MSR, Claudette Dumont-Smith will also prepare a final report including recommendations to be used for the preparation of the June 2019 report to parliament.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) is the lead department for the collaborative process on Indian registration, band membership and First Nations citizenship and will be responsible for the consultations under this process, including:

Funding for consultation activities

Proposal-based funding for First Nations communities and Indigenous groups was made available for those who wished to organize their own consultation activities beginning in October 2018. Specific templates and funding guidelines to participate in the consultations were developed to ensure participation across the country with a balanced representation for each province. Funded groups are required to submit a final report summarizing the activities, results and recommendations from their sessions in accordance with the guidelines provided.

To learn more, visit Funding for community sessions.

Participants

The issues around Indian registration, band membership and First Nations citizenship are broad and impact individuals, communities and First Nations. As such, the collaborative process will need to be as inclusive as possible to ensure the various perspectives are heard from the following (overlap is expected between groups):

Other government departments and provinces will also be consulted later in the process to discuss issues and concerns from these partners, as well as to determine what impacts there may be on their programs moving forward.

Accessibility of consultation materials

In response to input received during the co-design phase, all materials developed to support discussions during the consultation activities will be available online, in print, and through e-mail, mail and fax. These materials will be made available throughout the consultation process. When possible, materials will also be available in the Indigenous Services Canada regional registration offices. Communities and groups may also request copies of materials. All materials will be available in plain language. The consultation guide will be available in selected Indigenous languages.

Social media

The collaborative process will also be promoted through CIRNAC social media channels, including Twitter and Facebook. Social media messages will encourage participation and direct users to the departmental website for information and updates on the collaborative process. Consultation will not be conducted through social media.

Remote participation

To ensure maximum flexibility and to improve accessibility for participation, CIRNAC will offer audio and video conferencing options throughout the process. This is also in accordance with the Greening Government Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through reduced travel and consumption of resources.

Participants can contact CIRNAC to arrange information sessions or consultation sessions through remote means such as teleconference, videoconference and possibly online meeting options. Information on these will be available online.

Consultation approach summary

In response to what was heard during the co-design phase, the consultation approach has been designed to ensure inclusiveness and flexibility through consultation and collaboration while offering sufficient information, support and time to not only fulfill the legislative obligations to meet the June 2019 deadline for the next report to parliament, but to collect as much information, feedback and views as possible to inform future reform. This will be done through information sharing, information gathering during consultation sessions; time taken to review and analyze the information to prepare recommendations for parliament based on the consultations, the input of an Indigenous minister's special representative, and advice from the Indigenous advisory panel.

Consultation activities and materials

1. Launch of comprehensive consultations

In line with Bill S-3, the Minister initiated consultations with First Nations and other interested parties on issues related to Indian registration, band membership and First Nation citizenship beginning on June 12, 2018.

Key activities

Formal announcement and correspondence to partners
On June 12, 2018, the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada announced the beginning of the consultation process.

Correspondence announcing the launch of the consultations under the collaborative process was sent to:

  • all chiefs and councils
  • national Indigenous organizations
  • regional Indigenous organizations
  • tribal councils
  • the plaintiffs in the Descheneaux litigation

General information and contact information on how to participate in the process was included.

Call for funding proposals for consultation activities (now closed)

From June to August information on the application period, guidelines to obtain funding, templates and proposal criteria were made available online and through e-mail, mail and fax.

Materials

Information package for proposal funding for community sessions
Funding was made available to First Nations and Indigenous groups that met the requirements for grants and contributions funding. The guidelines, criteria and templates were available online. Copies could also be provided by e-mail, mail or fax by contacting CIRNAC.

Collaborative process webpage
To ensure the process remains inclusive, consultation materials are available online, including:

2. Information sharing: June 2018 to September 2018

Information sharing allowed CIRNAC to work with First Nations and Indigenous groups to set the stage for collecting information through consultation. CIRNAC shared information relating to the existing registration regime under the Indian Act and introduced the consultation plan and the consultation guide. It worked to ensure participants have the information they need to engage in well informed and meaningful dialogues.

Key activities

Information sessions
From June to September 2018, CIRNAC representatives were available to meet with First Nations and Indigenous groups to conduct information sessions on the current issues around Indian registration and the consultation process. Information sessions were conducted in person across the country or through teleconference or video conference and were organized in partnership with regional offices, First Nations and Indigenous groups.

Fact sheets

The fact sheets provide information on the current situation or meaning of the issues to create a shared understanding of the key factors that are part of, or related to, the collaborative process. To help ensure participants have the information needed to engage in well informed and meaningful dialogues, the fact sheets include information on the history of registration in the Indian Act and the consultation streams for consultation. The four fact sheets are:

3. Information gathering: October 2018 to March 2019

From October 2018 to March 2019, dialogues with First Nations, Indigenous groups and impacted individuals on the three content streams relating to:

  • the implementation of the removal of the 1951 cut-off
  • other remaining inequities related to registration and membership under the Indian Act
  • broader devolution or reform

Key activities

Community sessions: October 2018 to March 2019
Community sessions will be organized by First Nations, Indigenous groups or by the government. Community-organized sessions may be funded through proposal-based funding with the MSR or CIRNAC representatives available to lead, attend or provide support and information.

Government-organized sessions will involve the MSR or CIRNAC representatives leading discussions. Funded organizers of community sessions will be required to submit a final report summarizing the activities, results and recommendations from their sessions in line with the consultation guide.

Regional events: November 2018 to March 2019
Regional events will be led by the MSR and held across the country to consult and provide a forum for discussion on the issues identified in the consultation guide. The regional events will allow for First Nation and Indigenous group representatives to come together to share perspectives, provide input to both the MSR and CIRNAC, and to engage in discussions.

Fifteen regional events will be held across the country with locations and dates posted online. Locations for events will be determined to ensure a cross-country representation and to be as inclusive as possible.

Participation in regional events is by invitation only. First Nation communities, tribal councils and regional organizations will be invited to send a representative to one of the regional events to be held across the country. Travel costs for one representative per First Nation or group will be reimbursed by CIRNAC.

Online consultation: December 2018 to February 2019
An online survey will be available to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to provide direct and confidential input into the process. Recognizing that not everyone has access to the internet and that some people or groups may prefer printed options, the survey will also be available in print by contacting CIRNAC. The survey will be available to everyone, with a targeted focus on impacted individuals, urban individuals and Indigenous women beginning in December 2018.

The survey will be administered by a contracted firm that specializes in survey development and analysis with direction from CIRNAC and advice from the Indigenous advisory panel.

Expert panels: December 2018 to March 2019
CIRNAC will work in cooperation with the MSR to set up sessions with panels of experts to provide substantive input on options for amendments to the Indian Act provisions and broader reform. The expert panels will be comprised of a mix of experts in areas such as:

  • Indian Act
  • citizenship
  • treaty
  • Indigenous women's rights
  • Indigenous law
  • registration
  • governance
  • history
  • demography

Panel sessions may be held as separate sessions or in conjunction with regional events, or through tele-video conference.

Materials

Consultation guide
The consultation guide is intended to provide direction with regards to subject matters to be discussed as part of the consultation to allow for consistency of information gathering and dissemination. The guide includes information on the three content streams, discussion questions and general information. The consultation guide will be made available in selected Indigenous languages.

Discussion papers
With advice from the Indigenous advisory panel, CIRNAC will contract with third-party experts and academics to prepare discussion papers. These papers will be used to provide different perspectives on issues and generate discussion on the issues identified for the collaborative process. The papers will reflect the views of the authors.

4. Analysis and recommendations: April 2019 to June 2019

The government has an obligation to report on the results of the consultation by June 12, 2019 under An Act to amend the Indian Act in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Descheneaux c. Canada (Procureur général) (Bill S-3). The analysis period will be used to organize, review and analyze the information collected throughout the consultations. CIRNAC will undertake analysis of all information collected throughout the process by maintaining an on-going consultation log in accordance with the consultation guide to facilitate the final analysis, report and recommendations. CIRNAC's website will be updated to include general information on what is being heard throughout the consultation process.

Information from the MSR's report, the online survey, and community and government-organized sessions will be collected and summarized. This information will then be reviewed and analyzed in order to develop an implementation plan for:

  • the removal of the 1951 cut-off
  • recommendations for next steps around the remaining inequities related to registration and membership under the Indian Act
  • next steps for broader legislative reform including devolution of the responsibility for determining membership and citizenship to First Nations

This work will be done in cooperation with the MSR and with the advice and guidance of the Indigenous advisory panel. A summary of the information collected will also be available to the public.

A report to parliament will be tabled to summarize the process and provide recommendations relating to the three content streams.

Contact us

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
New Service Offerings
25 Eddy Street, 6th Floor, Room 196
Gatineau QC K1A 0H4

E-mail: aadnc.fncitizenship-citoyennetepn.aandc@canada.ca
Toll-free number: 1-855-833-0033
Fax: 403-292-5393

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