As Bill S-2 progresses in the Senate, ongoing discussions revolve around the effectiveness of the legislation in combating the remaining discriminatory practices in registration under the Indian Act. The primary focus of the bill is to eliminate existing gender-based biases during the registration process, particularly those associated with enfranchisement, which involves the involuntary loss of status to attain full citizenship.
Additionally, the bill introduces mechanisms to reunite women who were compelled to join their spouse’s band post-marriage with their original communities or “natal band.” It also establishes a procedure for individuals to voluntarily remove themselves from the registry and eliminates outdated and offensive language within the Indian Act. Senators are deliberating whether to proceed with the bill in its current form or introduce further amendments, such as abolishing the “second-generation cut-off” that terminates status after two generations of a non-status parent.
During a recent session of the Senate committee on Indigenous peoples, Madeleine Redfern, the interim CEO of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), expressed support for Bill S-2. However, she highlighted its failure to address critical registration concerns like the second-generation cut-off and the autonomy of communities in managing their membership.
Redfern, who hails from Iqaluit and belongs to the Inuk community, referenced the Nunavut Agreement as a model of self-governance in determining identity and community ties. She emphasized the importance of granting nations and individuals the authority to define their identities through independent enrollment programs, citing the feasibility of such practices within Canada.
Sen. Mary Jane McCallum noted that in its current state, the bill could reinstate status for approximately 6,000 individuals. However, by eliminating the second-generation cut-off through amendments, up to 225,000 people could potentially qualify for status. Pam Palmater, the chair in Indigenous Governance at Toronto Metropolitan University, urged immediate action from the government, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the issue without delay.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak also expressed backing for the bill’s objectives. However, she stressed that it represents only a minor step towards eradicating discriminatory registration practices. Nepinak highlighted the repetitive nature of litigation and legislative amendments concerning registration provisions in the Indian Act since 1985, often lacking direct engagement with affected rights holders and failing to provide additional resources or land for new registrants.
The upcoming committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening will continue the discussions on this crucial matter.