INAC to Issue New Secure Status Cards

08/28/2008

This announcement is being provided to the community in the public interest and does not necessarily constitute the political endorsement by the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke:

�The MCK has received notification from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) that the issuance of new Secure Certificates of Indian Status (�status cards�) will begin in the spring of 2009.

This will replace the existing status card, which has few security features and has been known to be altered, forged or counterfeited for fraudulent purposes. All existing status cards will remain valid for the five-year period stated on the individual�s card (the expiry date can be found at the back of most current cards). According to INAC, there is no need to renew the current card unless the holder intends to use it for Canada/US border crossing or other urgent purposes.

For security reasons, the cards will be printed nationally at only one centralized printing facility. Currently, the MCK�s Membership Department processes status cards for those on the Mohawk Registry; at some point next year, this will no longer be the case. However, the Membership Department will continue to be an intake/information center.

More detailed information will be forthcoming from the Mohawk Council of Kahnaw�:ke.

�Until the time when all Kahnawa�kehr�:non will be able to use the Haudenosaunee passport, this is the recognized piece of identification for travel between Canada and the United States,� said Grand Chief Michael Ahr�hrhon Delisle, Jr. �We will continue our work to ensure that Kahnaw�:ke�s right to determine the membership requirements of the community will be fully respected.�