Do you disagree with the Indian Registrar’s decision

Find out how to protest the Indian Registrar's decision on your application for Indian status.

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What is a protest

A protest is a formal request to the Office of the Indian Registrar to contest the Indian Registrar's decision on an application for Indian status.

When a person applies for Indian status, the Indian Registrar:

If you don't agree with the Indian Registrar's decision on an application for Indian status, you can challenge it by submitting a protest.

Under section 14.2 of the Indian Act, a protest can be made when the Indian Registrar:

The Indian Registrar has no legal authority to determine additions, omissions or deletions to a band list once a band has assumed control of their band membership under section 10 of the Indian Act or in a self-government agreement. Protests related to those band lists must be submitted in accordance with the band's own rules or through the courts.

Who can submit a protest

If the Indian Registrar's decision relates only to the Indian Register, the person directly impacted or their authorized representative can make a protest.

An authorized representative may include:

If the Indian Registrar's decision relates to a band list maintained by the Indian Registrar under section 11 of the Indian Act, a protest can be made by:

Protests made by the band council or a band member in relation to a name added to a band list maintained by the Indian Registrar can impact a person's entitlement to Indian status and the addition of their name to the Indian Register.

How to submit a protest

Under section 14.2 of the Indian Act, the protest must:

and must be submitted:

Any information provided to the Indian Registrar to protest a decision is received in confidence and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the Privacy Act.

Where to submit a protest

A protest must be submitted in writing to the Indian Registrar:

Indigenous Services Canada
Protest Unit
10 rue Wellington
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0H4

What will the Registrar do with the protest

If the protest meets the requirements specified under How to submit a protest, the Indian Registrar will start an investigation and notify the protester, as well as the person directly impacted or their authorized representative if different from the protester, that a decision will be made based on the results of that investigation.

Once the investigation is complete, the Indian Registrar will determine if the initial decision was:

The Office of the Indian Registrar will advise the protester, as well as the person directly impacted or their authorized representative if different from the protester, of the Indian Registrar's decision in writing.

The Indian Registrar's decisions on protests are final.

What if you disagree with the Indian Registrar's decision on a protest

If you disagree with a final decision on a protest, you may appeal to a court under section 14.3 of the Indian Act within 6 months after the Indian Registrar has rendered the decision.

According to section 14.3 of the Indian Act, the court may:

If you have any questions, contact Public enquiries.

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