Gender Equity Amendment to Indian Act Takes Effect

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. -  The federal government's amendment to the Indian Act to ensure gender equity has come into force today.

Federal Indian Affairs Minister, John Duncan, says "By passing this legislation to amend the Indian Act, the government has eliminated specific barriers of discrimination of particular individials."

"Bill C-3 ensures that eligible grandchildren of women who lost status as a result of marrying non-Indian men are entitled to registration."

Individials wanting to register must submit an application and meet all three criteria:

their grandmother lost her Indian status as a result of marrying a non-Indian

one of their parents was registered or entitled to be registered under sub-section 6(2) of the Indian Act

they or their siblings were born on or after September 4, 1951

The government ministry advises that individuals can seek legal advice on ther individual situation.  Once registered, applicants will have access to federal benefits and servies for registered Indians.

More information is available at www.inac-ainc.gc.ca

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