R E G I S T R A T I O N
This section of the website deals with the registration of Indians pursuant to the Indian Act, 1985. Registration is also referred to as "status". Those who are registered as Indians are often referred to as "Status Indians". Those Indians who are not registered under the Indian Act are often called Non-Status Indians.
The Indian Act is assimilatory legislation enacted by Canada. Canada's original intention when it created this Act was to slowly reduce the number of Indians in Canada until they eventually disappeared and there was no more "Indian problem". While Canada has since apologized the use of assimilatory policies, the Indian Act and its discriminatory registration provisions are still the law.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) adminsters the Indian Act. It has a Registrar which reviews all applications for status/registration and either approves or denies them.
A copy of the application form for adults can be found at this link:
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/br/frms/ir/83-044-eng.pdf
A copy of the application form for children can be found at this link:
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/br/frms/ir/83-044a-eng.pdf
Additional information about status/registration, how to apply, and what programs and services are available for status Indians is provided on INAC's website at:
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/br/is/index-eng.asp
While Canada controls the registration process under the Indian Act and also controls the membership process for the majority of bands in Canada. However, there are over 200 bands with their own band membership codes. Information about band membership can be found in the "Band Membership" subsection which is located within the "Identity" section this website.
Information about the proposed amendments to the Indian Act's registration provisions as a result of the McIvor case, can be found in the "Bill C-3" subsection of the "Current Issues" section of this website. Information about the McIvor case can be found in the same section.