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.

Status Card Options Available:

• Secure Certificate Indian Status Card – Now offering the new white card!
• Certificate of Indian Status Card (Laminated Status Card)

Other Services:

• 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 all First Nation Members or $35 for Non-First Nation 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

Important: Choose ONE Card Option

Secure Certificate of Indian Status Information – SCIS

• Current standard card
• Enhanced security features
• Accepted for all official purposes (travel, identification, etc.)

Validity:

• Adults: 10 years
• Minors: 5 years

You can now apply for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) Card at the Band Office, located at 100 Little Lake Rd., Suite 201.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, you must:

• Be a Fort William First Nation Band Member
• Already be a registered Status Indian

Photo Information

• Photos will be taken on-site at the Band Office

Identification Required

Please bring one piece of government-issued ID:

• Driver’s Licence or Provincial Photo ID
• Passport
• Health Card

Processing Time

• Your card will arrive by mail within approximately 2-6 weeks

OR

You can apply for the SCIS card at the Indigenous Services Canada (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

Certificate of Indian Status Information – Old Laminated Card

• Older plastic/laminated style
• Still valid for land border crossings

Validity:

• Adults: 5 years
• Minors: 3 years

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

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

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.

Legislative Status of Bill S-2

Bill S-2 is currently progressing through Parliament. To become law, it must continue through both the House of Commons and the Senate, where both chambers must agree on the final version before it can receive Royal Assent.

As of now:

• The second reading in the House of Commons was completed on February 27, 2026.
• The bill has advanced to the committee stage, where detailed examination and review take place.
• The most recent committee meeting was held on May 28, 2026.

Proposed Amendments

The proposed amendments addressing the second generation cut-off are expected to come into force 12 months after the bill receives Royal Assent. This delayed implementation is intended to allow additional consultation with First Nations through the Collaborative Process on the Second Generation Cut Off and Section 10 Voting Thresholds.