What is a Certificate of Indian Status or Status Card?
The Certificate of Indian Status (CIS), more commonly referred to as a status card, is an official form of identification issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to a person who is registered as an Indian under the provisions of the Indian Act.

Why does INAC issue a status card?
The status card is issued to confirm the cardholder's recognition by the Government of Canada as a person who is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act.

Who is eligible for a status card?
Any person who is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act is eligible for a status card.

What is a status card used for?
The status card is an identification card for status Indians. It provides evidence that a person is entitled to receive programs and services which include non-insured healthcare and certain tax exemption.

Where are status cards issued?
Status cards are issued by INAC Headquarters, INAC Regional and District Offices, and approximately 440 Indian Registry Administrators (IRA) located at First Nation band offices.

Is the status card accepted as a form of identification for Canada-United States (US) border crossing?
The use of the current status card as a form of identification at the Canada-US border has been under review for a number of years; however, INAC does not regulate which types of documents are acceptable at the Canada-US border.

Why is INAC changing the status card?
The purpose for introducing a new status card is to provide status Indians with a more reliable, valid and secure form of identification, which can be used to access programs and services available to status Indians. Status cards, like all forms of identification, need to follow society's technological advances.

Why does INAC need to change the status card?
The current status card is a paper document laminated in plastic and is not well protected from forgery or counterfeit, which means that the card can easily be altered or illegally reproduced.

Why and when did INAC start reviewing the status card?
The status card has been under review for several years because of concerns regarding forgery and counterfeiting; and First Nation people have expressed their desire for a more dignified card.

What has INAC been doing to improve the status card?
In 1999, under the AFN/INAC Joint Initiative on Lands and Trust Services (LTS), a pilot project was initiated with Treaty 7 in southern Alberta to test new plastic cards and a new card issuance processes. In 2001, as a Government On-Line (GOL) initiative, INAC introduced the Indian Registration System/Certificate of Indian Status (IRS/CIS) Project to enhance the current Alberta pilot project. Based on the lessons learned from the first pilot project an updated version of the plastic card has been introduced a new Indian Registration System has been developed.

Is the new card being introduced to all First Nations?
During the enhanced pilot project phase (April 2002 to March 2005) the new status card is available to all eligible cardholders but the cards will only be issued in a limited number of locations. These locations include southern Alberta and the National Capital Region.

Is the new status card available outside the Alberta region?
INAC Headquarters in Ottawa/Gatineau is the only location outside of the Alberta region that is issuing the new status card.

What happens after March 2005 when the enhanced pilot project phase ends?
Based on the feedback and an evaluation of lessons that have been learned from the enhanced pilot project, if the project funding is approved, a national roll-out will be planned and implemented.

Will the status card change again when there is a national roll-out?
The final version of the status card which will be introduced in the national roll-out will incorporate the feedback and an evaluation of lessons we have learned from the pilot project stage, incorporate the feedback of the focus testing sessions conducted throughout the country, and include security features as a result of an evaluation and recommendations made by the Technical Document Integrity Group (CSIS, RCMP, CIC, and Passport Office). The goal of this project is to provide a status card which best meets the needs of Registered Indians.

Can I apply for the new status card by mail?
No. The new status card issuance policies and processes require all registered Indians to apply for their card in-person at one of the pilot project issuance locations. Upon request, at the time of application, a card may be mailed to an applicant.

What information do I have to provide to get my status card?
As with the current status card, you must present appropriate personal identification to confirm your identity as a registered Indian to the Indian Registry Administrator (IRA).

What are the accepted forms of identification required to get my status card?
The types of acceptable documents will include any two of the following:

• Driver's License
• Birth or Baptismal Certificate
• Provincial Health Card
• Employee ID Card with digital photo
• Student ID Card with digital photo
• Guarantor Form

A passport will be accepted on its own as will the new status card when it comes time for renewal.

How will the new card be different than the current card?
The enhanced version of the status card incorporates various standards for card layout and data placement. It also includes new graphic design elements and enhanced security features. The new status card incorporates international standards for identity cards. Standardization makes the status card easier to recognize and be read by all parties who use the card.

Will the new status card contain a microchip or biometric features?
No. It will not and our business case does not depend on such features, which would, at any rate, be much more costly to implement. The idea is to bring the status card up to modern standards - equal to higher-end government identification. That being said, the card technology could be readily adapted to include "smart card" features, if required, and based on consultations with First Nations.

Are there any changes in the type of personal data on the card?
The new card contains the same data as the current paper laminated status card.

Why change the graphical design of the card?
The new card includes features that make the card easier to identify and validate, while making the card more difficult to forge or counterfeit.

Will this be the final graphical design?
Probably not. The final graphic design of the card will be introduced at the time of a national roll-out.

Will the new status cards have an expiry date?
Status cards do not expire, but the personal information does require updating. Status cards have and will continue to have a 'Renewal date'.

How often do status cards need to be renewed?
Adults are required to renew their status card every 5 years in order to update the information (photo, etc.).

How many different versions of valid status cards are there?
There are three (3) valid types of status cards. The current paper/laminated version, the 'All-in-One' pilot project version, and the new enhanced pilot project version.

Why is there more than one valid version of the status card?
The paper/laminated version of the status card continues to be issued at all locations throughout Canada while the pilot project is being conduced in Alberta. A single version of the status card will not be issued and enforced nationally until the enhanced pilot project has been concluded.

Will First Nation offices continue to be involved in the card issuance process?
Yes, the card issuance locations will include both INAC and First Nation offices.

What kind of changes should First Nations people expect in how status cards can be used?
There are no overall changes planned as to how the status card used. One of the goals is to raise awareness among cardholders, service providers, and governments of the new secure status card as a valid and secure proof of Indian status.

How long will this project be going on for?
The enhanced Alberta pilot project is scheduled to run from April 2002 to March 2005.

What is the IRS/CIS Project?
The IRS/CIS Project was developed to improve the Indian Registration System (IRS) and its user access and to introduce a more secure and dignified Certificate of Indian Status. The Project includes 4 phases, which are (1) an enhancement of the Alberta Treaty 7 Pilot Project, (2) re-engineering the IRS, (3) national implementation of the re-engineered IRS, and (4) national implementation of the new secure status card. The first 3 phases have been funded, while Phase 4 remains unfunded.

What is Phase 4 of the IRS/CIS Project?
Phase 4 will involve national implementation of a more secure and dignified plastic status card.

How is the Indian Registration System (IRS) being changed?
INAC has re-engineered the IRS to modernize the business processes, enable secure on-line services, and digitize key paper based records. The pilot project introduces new on-line services to support the issuance of the new status card.

Who will have access to the new IRS?
Only IRAs at First Nation band offices and select INAC staff will have access to the IRS.

Can anyone access my personal information from this card?
No. Security of personal information is an important aspect of the new status card. The Government of Canada, in the use and development of this card, is complying with the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) rules.

Will the privacy of my information be maintained?
Yes. Privacy is a key element for all aspects of this project.

How will various stakeholders such as services providers and provinces/territories be made aware of the implementation of the new card?
Under the communications plan developed for the initiative, various communications tools will be employed to make interested parties aware.

How can I determine what the valid cards look like? For information related to status cards, contact any IRA or INAC office to request the "Status Card Information Sheet". Recorded information is available by telephone at (819) 953-7915. Information is also available from the INAC Web site at www.ainc-inac.gc.ca

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