The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is asking its members to complete an online survey to determine the extent of the difficulty they face when presenting their Indian status card at banks or shops, for example.
The card, which certifies that they are registered as Indians under the Indian Act, gives them access to certain rights and benefits, such as: B. Tax Exemptions.
The survey was produced following an incident in 2019 in which Heiltsuk First Nation member Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter were arrested and handcuffed as they presented their Indian status card to open an account for the girl at a BMO branch to open in Vancouver.
An investigation has found that two police officers were at fault when they arrested Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter. Both officers were reprimanded and asked to apologize to their grandfather and granddaughter.
Grand Chief of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), Stewart Phillip, says this survey is essential to assessing discrimination and then having the arguments needed to bring about change in the court and in the court of public opinion.
It will also tell us more about how tribal peoples adapt their dress, behavior and conversation to avoid racism.
adds Stewart Phillip.
Indigenous leaders hope to receive at least 1,000 responses to the survey, available on the BC Indian Chiefs Association website, by July 1ah July.
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