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By now, many are aware that the MFNAN were successful in moving forward with its legal challenge concerning self-identification.  The decision, more commonly known as the Wells Decision has resulted in movement from the federal government.

As a result, the following has been posted on the INAC website.  You can view the full details here.

If you were denied founding membership in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation in 2017 on the basis of the self-identification criterion and your address has recently changed, please update your address as soon as possible so we can contact you if you are affected by the recent Wells federal court decision.

The Government of Canada has also announced it will begin exploratory discussions with the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) regarding specific groups who were denied founding membership. We will communicate further details as they become available.

The federal government has provided some guidelines on what it considers a “Self Identification Document“.  According to the government’s website a self-identification document is:

• a 2011 or earlier census return or National Household Survey response filed by a resident of Newfoundland, indicating that you identified as an Aboriginal person, a North American Indian or a member of an Indian band or First Nation
  • To get your census return or survey response, consult Accessing my census (Census of Population or 2011 NHS) information
• a copy of a Newfoundland newspaper article dated on or before September 22, 2011 reporting your participation as a member of the Mi’kmaq Group of Indians of Newfoundland in ceremonial, traditional or cultural activities of the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland
• a certified true copy of an application form filled out by a resident on the island of Newfoundland dated on or before September 22, 2011, indicating that you self-identified as Mi’kmaq, Indian or Aboriginal for the purpose of being selected for:
  • a job in a government, other public institution, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance, Benoit First Nation or Sip’kop Mi’kmaq Band or
  • a program benefit sponsored by a government or government agency.
• other relevant documents submitted to or issued by a government, a public institution, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance, Benoit First Nation, Kitpu Band or Sip’kop Mi’kmaq Band, dated on or before September 22, 2011, showing that you self-identified as a Member of the Mi’kmaq Group of Indians of Newfoundland
• a membership card or confirmation of membership letter dated on or before September 22, 2011, if you are on a membership list of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance, Benoit First Nation, Kitpu Band or Sip’kop Mi’kmaq Band that was submitted to the Enrolment Committee during the previous assessment .

We encourage all members of the MFNAN to be diligent in searching for this information and encourage you to keep you information and membership up to date.

Thank you.