Membership and Registration

The Registry Administration Program is responsible for maintaining FWFN membership records and also acts as a liaison to the Indian Registrar of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

As we look forward into the future, FWFN is looking at revising its membership code.  It is currently being worked on by the Governance Committee.

• Certificate of Indian Status: laminated status card
• Membership Verification Letters
• Assistance with new registration forms & amendments
• Document Examiner: can certify a photocopied document to submit to ISC instead of handing in the originals.
• Submitting death certificates to ISC
• Blood Quantum Letters
• Notary Public: free for members or $35 for non-members
• Updates for member addresses and other contact information
• Member portal assistance

To access these services and make an appointment with Ann-Marie Ogima, please call the office at 807-623-9543 ext. 812 OR email membershipann@fwfn.com

*a maximum of 2 cards can be issued within a 12-month period*

Adults over 16 requiring a laminated status card (Certificate of Indian Status) must bring in one Primary government issued ID or 2 pieces of secondary government issued ID. The same goes for those aged 12-16 years old, OR a parent submits a piece of ID as well the minor applicant. However, 12-year-olds can sign their own status card.

For children under the age of 12 years old, it is required to have one piece of ID for the child and one piece for the parent or legal guardian.

Primary government issued ID – 1 piece required from list below

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Provincial Identification Card

OR

Secondary government issued ID – 2 pieces required from the list below

• Birth certificate
• Health card
• Firearms license
• Government employee identification card (with photo)
• Valid status card

Secure Certificate of Indian Status Information – SCIS

The SCIS can be applied for at ISC office located at 100 Anemki Place, Suite 101, Fort William First Nation. They are also accepting applications by mail. If you have any secure card questions you can call this local regional office at 807-623-3534.

SCIS application is available to print:

SCIS APPLICATION LINK HERE

Fort William First Nation has 2 Notary Publics available for our members, free of charge.

A Notary Public is a person legally authorized to verify identities, witness signatures, administer oath, certify copies of documents, and help prevent fraud in legal or official paperwork. In Ontario, notaries are governed under provincial law.

Documents Eligible for Notarization (Band Members)

A Notary Public may be used by Band Members for a variety of legal and administrative purposes. Common uses include witnessing signatures and certifying documents related to the following:

Common Notarial Services 

Witness signatures for:

• Reserve land-related documents
• Purchase Agreements
• Property Transfers
• Wills and estate documents
• Affidavits or statutory declarations

Certify true copies of:

• Birth Certificates
• Passports
• Status Cards
• Any other identity related to documents

Administering Oath:

• Supporting members with election declarations
• Conflict of interest applications
• Travel consent letters for children
• Guarantor
• Sworn statements

If you require a document to be notarized, please do not sign the document in advance. All signatures–including witness signatures–must be signed in the presence of the notary for the notarization to be valid.

Failure to follow this requirement may result in delays or the document needing to be redone.

Please ensure you bring valid identification and all required parties to the appointment.

To book your appointment with one of the notaries, please contact Ian Bannon or Ann-Marie Ogima.

Bill S‑2 represents a significant legislative effort to address long‑standing inequities within the Indian Act’s registration and band membership provisions. The bill focuses on correcting historical injustices that resulted in the loss of Indian status for certain individuals and their descendants.

Key objectives of Bill S‑2 include:

• Restoring entitlement lost through enfranchisement: The bill aims to reinstate Indian Act registration for individuals and their descendants who were previously denied or stripped of status due to enfranchisement policies.
• Eliminating discriminatory rules: It seeks to remove the second‑generation cut‑off as it applies to those affected by enfranchisement, a rule that has disproportionately excluded descendants from registration.
• Updating language: Bill S‑2 removes outdated and offensive terminology from the Indian Act, aligning the legislation with contemporary standards of respect and human rights.
• Providing personal choice: The bill introduces the option for individuals to voluntarily deregister from the Indian Register, recognizing personal autonomy in matters of legal identity.

Overall, Bill S‑2 is intended to make the Indian Act more equitable by addressing sex‑based and enfranchisement‑based discrimination and ensuring that eligibility for registration better reflects principles of fairness, reconciliation, and equality.

If passed, Bill S-2 would:

• Restore identity and legal status to thousands of First Nations individuals and their descendants.
• End discriminatory practices in registration and enfranchisement.
• Allow children to inherit status from one parent, addressing the second-generation cut-off.

The status of the amendment to the Indian Act is currently in at consideration in committee level in the House of Commons.

As updates arise, we will continue to update members until the bill becomes law.