bats

its Federal
https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/11.../1100100032378

Each band can chose to do what they want with their funds. They can also chose who is a member of that band and allocate their funds but this is different to being a Status Indian.

Frequently Asked Questions | Government of Nova Scotia

DandNHill

Well that's different to what I was told but I am pleasantly surprised as I did think it was open to abuse...thanks for the info

JonboyE

There is a common misconception amongst the redder necks that Indians get all sorts of free stuff. It is not true. There are all sorts of special programs for status Indians who live on reserve but, at best, they replicate the programs that are available to everyone else.

Indians that live off reserve pay the same taxes and get the same benefits as you and me.

One of my clients fought for years to be registered as an Indian despite the fact they live and run a business off reserve. They get no benefit from being a status Indian but, as they said, their heritage has been restored.

DandNHill

As mentioned previously there seems to be a huge difference between provinces... When I was in NS I spoke to a woman whose family lived in Saskatchuan. To be deemed Indian/First Nations there you had to actually live on a Reserve. In NS you seem to be able to claim status for just having a grand parent who was First Nations...that or the whole of NS has got it wrong! lol

scrubbedexpat091

I thought Native Status was federal thing and would be the same across Canada?





I have status in a tribe in the US, I'd have to go live on reservation to get any benefit from it, although I can get some educational benefits off reservation but not much else.

Other then the occasional letter updating me on the goings of the reservation, I have no actual participation nor do I identify as native although legally and technically I can with the blessing of the tribe since they are the one's who set the rules down there for who is and isn't recognized member of their tribe.

I have a citizenship card out of it though, no idea of what blood level, it's been a few generations now.

DandNHill

I don't the whole story. All I know is that there are differences between the Provinces. I got this from a woman who is of First Nations decent, not too dilute either to look at her. She said to me that she was from SK and there you have to live the lifestyle to get status whereas in NS you only had to prove your ancestry. She had researched this...maybe she was wrong but she wasn't the only person to tell me how easy it was to obtain in NS.

bats

There isn't a provincial difference for Status Indian. It's Federal, restrictive, and rather patronizing.

Any Band however can make its own decisions over who it accept as a Band member. Once a Band member you can then claim monies, funding from that band. This is not the same as Federally dispensed recognition and monies.

Shard

And the chief will decide whether you deserve it or whether he needs a new pick up.

DandNHill

OK well tell that to the people I knew in NS who managed to get it then!