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Eligibility & Enrolment
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What is Eligibility & Enrolment?
Eligibility is the criteria to be a citizen, and Enrolment is the process of signing up to vote on the treaty and be a citizen.
Every T’exelcemc, Tsqéscen’emc, Xatśūllemc, Stswecem’c, and Xget’tememc have the choice whether or not to enrol. You will not lose your status if you choose not to enrol.
An individual is eligible to be enroled if they are either:
- A current member of an NStQ band;
- A person of NStQ ancestry with a demonstrated attachment to the community;
- A person adopted by Canadian or NStQ law;
- A person accepted into an NStQ community under NStQ customs;
- A descendant of an individual eligible for enrolment for any of the above reasons and who has a demonstrated attachment to the community.
An Enrolment Committee will be set up for the Treaty Ratification vote and this committee will be responsible for communicating the steps for enrolment. This is why it’s important to provide us with your contact information – so we can ensure all members know how, when and where a vote will unfold.
Understanding Eligibility
Eligibility criteria is determined by our traditional laws and customs. The Indian Act band lists form a basis for Eligibility – all current band members are eligible to become citizens.
But eligibility may extend beyond band membership to include individuals who qualify through ancestry, adoption, or acceptance into the community under Secwepemc law. These additional criteria require a “demonstrated attachment” to the community, meaning these individuals will have to have an established connection to the community.
If the Tscentwécw ratification is successful, we will be citizens of self-governing NStQ communities and no longer subject to the Indian Act. However, NStQ citizens who are “Status Indians” will also be able to keep their Status Cards and will continue to have access to programs and services offered by the federal government to registered “Status Indians.”
Understanding Enrolment
There are 3 key factors about enrolment all members should know:
- To vote on the treaty, members must enrol.
- Your vote matters and voting is a clear means of expressing approval or disapproval of the treaty.
- Each band member will choose for themselves whether they want to enrol or not.
Enrolment does not mean you are approving the treaty; it means you will cast a ballot in a ratification vote. And you will not be automatically enrolled. You will initiate that process.
Eligibility & Enrolment Process
The process that determines who is eligible to vote and the steps to become enroled. Additional information is also found in the Eligibility and Enrolment treaty chapter.
In order to vote on the treaty, those eligible to enrol must do so. Once your application is accepted, you are eligible to vote on the treaty. Enroling enables you to vote in elections, run for elected office, receive benefits, and more.
Current band members and others who are eligible under our Secwepemc laws and customs, as determined by our communities.
Once the Tscentwécw agreement is completed, an Enrolment Committee is formed to oversee the process. All enroled members will have the opportunity to vote on the agreement.
Members will be able to enrol in a number of ways. These can include:
- Enrolling in person
- Enrolling online through an app or website
- Enrolling by making an appointment
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