BILL S-3 FOCUS GROUP MEETINGS

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne invites the community to attend the following sessions to learn more of the amendments and offer comments on Bill S-3.

Bill S-3 legislation is an act to amend the Indian Act in response to the Superior Court of Quebec decision in Descheneaux versus Canada. The Bill (which deals with Indian registration & membership) received Royal Assent on December 12, 2017, and some parts took effect on December 22, 2017.

The amendments introduced addresses specific inequities identified in Descheneaux as well as other sex-based inequities. This included:

  • Flexibility in the types of evidence provided by applicants with an unknown or unstated parent, grandparent or other ancestor.

Bill S-3 also introduced provisions with a delayed implementation (since 2017), they include:

  • 1951 cut-off;
  • Second generation cut-off;
  • Issues related to adoption;
  • Continued federal role in determining Indian status.
  • Other areas open for discussion include categories in Indian registration, border crossing, impacts on language and culture, self-government, and the overall impacts of Bill S-3 will have on the community.

FOCUS GROUP MEETING:

  • Wednesday, January 30, 2019 | A’nowara’ko:wa Arena (Turtle Room) | 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For more information on the meetings, please contact Rachel Lazare (613-575-2250) or Dr. Dolly McDonald (rosealmamcdonald@sympatico.ca).