The Citizenship Committee wants to hear from citizens
They would like feedback about the Citizenship and Treaty Enrolment Act, section d).

How you can fill out the Citizenship and Treaty Enrolment Act Feedback form:

  1. Fill out the online form
  2. Go to any of the Government Offices and fill it out

Who do you give your Citizenship and Treaty Enrolment Act feedback form to?

  1. You can email your form to the Registrar Clerk – citizenship@huuayaht.org
  2. You can fax your form to the Registrar Clerk at 250-723-4646

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Here you can find the FAQ related to this topic.

1. How do I enrol as a Huu-ay-aht citizen?
2. What is an ancestral chart and how do I get one?
3. Where can I send specific questions about citizenship and status?
4. Can a (non-) First Nations spouse or partner apply for citizenship?
5. What is the procedure to transfer in or out of Huu-ay-aht?
6. What should I do if I need a legal name change?
7. What should I do if a Huu-ay-aht relative dies?
8. How can I update my details in your database?
9. Is there specific legislation about citizenship issues?

1. How do I enrol as a Huu-ay-aht citizen?

You can download the new forms:

1. Citizenship Application Package: click here
2. Treaty Enrolment Package: click here

The new form was approved by the Executive Council on December 14, 2011.  It was updated in July, 2013.  Please note that the ancestral chart is now MANDATORY and must be included with your application.

If you would like to read more on the subject, please check the Citizenship and Treaty Enrolment Act

2. What is an ancestral chart and how do I get one?

An ancestral chart is a brief version of your family tree that helps trace your Huu-ay-aht ancestry or kinship. You can talk to your family elders, other relatives, or the head of your household for more information. Please email the Registrar Clerk at citizenship@huuayaht.org if you need assistance completing this chart.

3. Where can I send specific questions about citizenship and status?

Please contact the Port Alberni Government Office if you have any questions. (250.723.0100, citizenship@huuayaht.org) or use this form:

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Thank you for your response. ✨

4. Can a (non-) First Nations spouse or partner apply for citizenship?

The Citizenship and Treaty Enrolment Act (HFNA 2/2011) states the following:

Eligibility criteria for enrolment

21 An individual is eligible for enrolment under the Treaty if the individual

(a) is of Huu-ay-aht ancestry,

(b) was adopted under laws recognized in Canada or according to Huu-ay-aht custom by an individual who is eligible for Treaty enrolment under this paragraph or paragraph (a) or (c),

(c) is a descendant of a Huu-ay-aht individual who is eligible for Treaty enrolment under paragraph (a) or (b), or

(d) is accepted by the Huu-ay-aht as a member of the Huu-ay-aht according to Huu-ay-aht custom and has a demonstrated attachment to the Huu-ay-aht community.

Huu-ay-aht Band custom membership

24 For the purpose of section 21 (d), an individual is eligible for enrolment under the Treaty in the following circumstances:

(a) for applications received before April 1, 2011, the individual’s name is on the official Huu-ay-aht Band list at the time of the individual’s application; or

(b) for applications received on or after April 1, 2011, the individual’s name is on the official March 31, 2011 Huu-ay-aht Band list; and

(c) the individual meets the prescribed standards for demonstrating an ongoing significant attachment to the Huu-ay-aht to the satisfaction of the ḥaw̓iiḥ Council.

Custom membership by marriage

25 If section 24 does not apply, an individual is eligible for enrolment under the Treaty under section 21 (d) if

(a) for at least 5 years before the date of his or her application for enrolment, the individual was married to, or living and cohabiting in a marriage-like relationship with, an individual eligible for enrolment under section 21 (a), 21 (b) or 21 (c), and

(b) the individual meets the prescribed standards for demonstrating an ongoing significant attachment to the Huu-ay-aht to the satisfaction of the ḥaw̓ iiḥ Council.

5. What is the procedure to transfer in or out of Huu-ay-aht?

It depends on whether or not the nation you are transferring in/out is a self-governing one. In the case of children (under 16), both parents must give their consent.  Each case must be analyzed individually. So, please fill this form out.

6. What should I do if I need a legal name change?

To change with Huu-ay-aht First Nations database: You should provide a photo or copy of a valid piece of photo ID with the new name to the Registrar Clerk (citizenship@huu-ay-aht.org).

To change on your status card with Indigenous Services Canada: You should provide either an original amended long form birth certificate with the new name OR an original legal name change certificate. These can be delivered in person or by mail to the Registrar Clerk at the Port Alberni Government Office, 4644 Adelaide St, Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 6N4.

7. What should I do if a Huu-ay-aht relative dies?

A death certificate must be provided to the Law Clerk (lawclerk@huuayaht.org) via email, fax (250.723.4646), in person (original) or mail:

Port Alberni Government Office, 4644 Adelaide St, Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 6N4

8. How can I update my details in your database?

You can update your details during our Community Engagement Sessions, drop in/call our offices or simply by filling this form out:

http://huuayaht.org/change-of-address-form/

9. Is there specific legislation about citizenship issues?

See below for some of the relevant legislation; all Huu-ay-aht Laws may be found in their entirety on the site under Laws and Regulations.

From the Citizenship and Treaty Enrolment Act:

Huu-ay-aht citizen
3(1) Citizenship may only be granted or revoked under this Act.
(2) Only those individuals whose names are entered in the Citizenship Register are Huu-ay-aht citizens.
(3) A Huu-ay-aht citizen may not be a citizen of another First Nation.

Eligibility criteria
4 The following individuals are eligible for citizenship:
(a) a Huu-ay-aht treaty participant;
(b) an individual whose name is registered on the official March 31, 2011 Huu-ay-aht Band list.

Qualifying for citizenship
5 (1) Subject to this Act, an individual who is eligible for citizenship under section 4 is entitled to become a Huu-ay-aht citizen if he or she
(a) is at least 16 years of age,
(b) makes a solemn declaration of citizenship as set out in the Schedule, and
(c) applies for and is accepted into a Huu-ay-aht Maht Mahs.
(2) An individual who is eligible under section 4 but has not completed the requirements of subsection (1), is a Huu-ay-aht citizen until the individual is 21 years of age.
(3) An individual who is at least 21 years of age and who is eligible under section 4 but has not completed the requirements of subsection (1) (b) and (c), is a Huu-ay-aht citizen until March 31, 2012.

Committee review
7 (1) At least once a month, the committee must review the qualifications of individuals who may become Huu-ay-aht citizens.
(2) If the committee determines that an individual qualifies under section 5, the
committee must
(a) notify the individual,
(b) deliver a copy of its written decision to the Registrar, and
(c) direct the Registrar to record in the Citizenship Register
(i) the individual’s citizenship name, and
(ii) if the individual’s citizenship expires under section 5 (2) or (3), the expiry date.
(3) The committee may provide information on eligibility criteria and the qualifications required for citizenship to individuals who may become Huu-ay-aht citizens.
(4) An individual must provide proof in the form specified by the Citizenship Committee that he or she has fulfilled the requirements for citizenship under section 5 (1).
(5) Within 60 days of the date an individual provides proof under subsection (4), the committee must consider the material and notify the individual in writing of its decision on the applicant’s citizenship.
(6) The committee may establish policies and procedures to determine whether an individual meets the eligibility criteria and qualifications for citizenship under sections 4 and 5.
(7) Subject to an appeal under section 17, the decision of the committee is final and binding.