- Project Launch: Members of all three First Nations are introduced to the project and informed of opportunities to get involved.
- Community Engagement: Members are invited to share their priorities, concerns, and ideas through a series of community meetings and surveys.
- Drafting the Membership Code: The proposed Membership Code is developed based legal guidance and input from members collected through Community Engagement.
- Community Review: “What We Heard” reports summarizing member input and the proposed (draft) Membership Code are shared with members for feedback.
- Community Vote: Each Nation holds its own vote on whether to adopt the proposed Membership Code. The outcome of this vote will not impact the other two Nations.
Our Nations are facing membership-related challenges. We need community-driven processes that better reflect our unique values, priorities, and identities.
Nadleh Whut’en, Saik’uz, and Stellat’en First Nations share a rich history of collaboration. By working together on this project, we will:
- Reduce project expenses through combined costs and resources
- Better coordinate events and engagement
- Share key insights and research throughout the process
Although we are collaborating on this important work, please note that band members will only provide input and vote on the dedicated Membership Code for their particular community. Each Nation will independently make its own decisions and hold its own vote on whether to adopt the proposed Membership Code designed for their respective community.
The contents of each Membership Code and the outcome of each community vote will not impact the other two Nations. Overall, our decision to collaborate is about improving efficiency, streamlining costs, and building stronger governance tools together.
A Membership Code is a formal set of rules for membership in a specific First Nation. It explains the steps needed to apply for Band Membership, and covers questions and topics such as:
| Who is eligible for membership? | Is birth the only way to become a member? And must both parents be members? Can membership also be acquired through adoption, marriage, or residence in the community for a minimum amount of time? Do Indian Status and/or “Blood Quantum” affect someone’s eligibility? Is dual citizenship with multiple First Nations allowed? |
| How to apply for membership? | What is the application process and timeline? Does it cost money? What kind of documentation is required? How/where do I submit my application? |
| How are decisions made? | Who makes membership-related decisions? Who reviews applications? What makes for a strong application? |
| How can decisions be reviewed or appealed? | What is the process for requesting a membership decision to be reviewed or appealed? Who is involved in the review/appeals process? How do we ensure fairness and transparency? |
| How to voluntarily give up membership? | What is the process for renouncing my membership? Will I need to justify my reasons? How will my decision impact my child(ren)’s membership? |
Community input is fundamental to this process. Over the next year, members of Nadleh Whut’en, Saik’uz, and Stellat’en First Nation can expect several opportunities to participate in creating their Nation’s custom Membership Code through:
- Community meetings and information sessions
- Online and in-person engagement (such as surveys)
- An Oversight Committee made up of members from each Nation, including Elders, youth, and knowledge-holders
No. The Membership Code does not determine or affect a person’s Indian status. First Nation membership is separate from Indian status. Currently, only the Government of Canada (the federal government) has the legal authority under the Indian Act to determine whether an individual is registered as a Status Indian.
To learn more about the difference between Indian Status under the Indian Act and First Nation/Band Membership visit here: https://nfnmembership.ca/further-reading/
Community members, including the Oversight Committee, will guide the process through engagement and ultimately make the final decision through an official vote.
No. Although we are working together, each Nation will create and adopt its own custom Membership Code through extensive member input and a community vote.
The Membership Code vote will take place toward the end of the process (mid-2027), after community engagement and review of the proposed Membership Code.
There are several ways to stay up to date:
- This website
- You’ve made it here! This website is updated regularly with the latest project information.
- Email updates
- Sign up here: https://nfnmembership.ca/# (if you are not already receiving email updates through your Nation’s emailing list, this is a good way to stay in the loop).
- Printed materials
- Available at your Nation’s Band Office and through their distribution channels.
- Facebook
- You can follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/nfn.membership/ or search ‘Nechako First Nations Membership Code Project on Facebook.