The Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds

Find out how you can prepare for the upcoming consultation on remaining inequities in registration and membership.

Current status: Open

The need for a collaborative process

Since 1985, the second-generation cut-off has continued to have deep impacts on First Nation individuals, communities and families.

The second-generation cut-off prevents many First Nations people with status under the Indian Act from passing entitlement on to their children and grandchildren simply because of the person with whom they chose to parent.

The issue of double majority voting thresholds will also be examined. This is to ensure that any proposed solution to the second-generation cut-off does not become an obstacle to First Nations seeking control over their membership lists due to an increased registered population that a legislative remedy would impose.

Timeline leading up to consultation

How the collaborative process will work

The collaborative process consists of 2 phases:

The second phase of the collaborative process is being co-designed and implemented based on the recommendations heard from the Indigenous Advisory Process during the co-development and information-sharing phase.

Indigenous advisory process

The Indigenous Advisory Process has been established to provide advice and recommendations to Indigenous Services Canada to help ensure that Indigenous perspectives are considered in the design and delivery of the collaborative process.

The Indigenous Advisory Process membership consists of 1-2 appointed representatives from 17 national, regional, youth and women's Indigenous organizations that represent individuals or communities across Canada affected by the second-generation cut-off.

Indigenous Organizations Table:

  • Assembly of First Nations, British Columbia
  • Assembly of First Nations, Manitoba
  • Assembly of First Nations, National
  • Anishinabek Nation
  • Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs
  • Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
  • First Nations Summit of British Columbia
  • Indigenous Bar Association
  • National Association of Friendship Centers
  • Native Women's Association of Canada
  • Union of British Columbia's Indian Chiefs

Women's and Youth Caucus:

  • Warriors Rising Youth Society
  • Feminist Alliance for International Action (The Indian Act Sex Discrimination Working Group)
  • Indigenous Youth Council for the National Association of Friendship Centers
  • Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council
  • Ontario Native Women's Association
  • Quebec Native Women's Association

The work of the Indigenous Advisory Process is ongoing. Members are actively engaged in co-developing consultation materials and offering guidance on the design of consultation events and activities for rights-holders.

Rights-holders information sharing kit

A Rights-Holders Information Sharing Kit has been established to support First Nations and impacted Indigenous rights-holders in preparation for consultation events on the second-generation cut-off and section 10 voting thresholds.

The Kit aims to support rights-holders' readiness for consultation by providing a robust description of the issues, namely, the second-generation cut-off and section 10 voting thresholds. The Rights-Holders Information Sharing Kit includes a broad distribution strategy by mail, email and is accessible online.

Community-specific data sheets have been developed as part of this initiative to highlight the impact of the second-generation cut-off on each First Nation's registered population across Canada. To view the community-specific data sheet for your First Nation, visit Open Data or contact the Registration Reform team at Reforme-de-linscription-Registration-Reform@sac-isc.gc.ca.

Information sessions

Information sessions on the Rights-Holders Kit will be offered throughout the Collaborative Process. Sessions will be held virtually through Zoom and will last approximately 60 minutes. The session will cover the key issues for consultation and be followed by a question and answer period. For more information or to register for a session, visit the Information Sessions Page.

Consultation readiness form

To achieve the thresholds of free, prior, and informed consent and the need for deep and meaningful consultation and cooperation as set out in the United Nations Declaration Act, First Nations are encouraged to self-assess their readiness prior to participating in consultation events.

Is your First Nation ready for consultation on the second-generation cut-off and section 10 voting thresholds? Let us know by filling out the Consultation Readiness Form.

Stay informed

To find out more about the Collaborative Process on the Second-Generation Cut-off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds, or to be added to our distribution list for email updates, please contact Registration Reform: Reforme-de-linscription-Registration-Reform@sac-isc.gc.ca.

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