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BIRTH CERTIFICATES
A long-form Birth Certificate is an essential document that everyone must obtain in order to qualify for medical care, to register as a Band Member, and to obtain a Status Card.
People sometimes assume that the registration of birth that is done at the hospital when a child is born is the same as a birth certificate. It is not, and some people get quite upset when they come to register their child and are told that they must first obtain their child's birth certificate. It must be the long form, with parents' names, and not the small card.
To obtain a birth certificate, or replace a lost one, you have to apply to the federal Division of Vital Statistics (DVS), and pay $27. Vickie Brotchie at Membership Services in the ¹Namgis Nation Admin. Office will give you the DVS¹s address and the required application form.
When you get your or your child's birth certificate, make sure to put it in a safe place where you can find it again when you need it.
REGISTRATION
Parents sometimes assume that a baby is automatically registered. This is not the case, and it is important to register a new baby because after a year unregistered children are not covered for medical care. To register your baby you must have the birth certificate, the name of your
Band, and parents' registration numbers.
STATUS CARDS
Status Cards are essential documents, both for individual First Nations people and for the bands to which they claim membership. Adults must renew them every 5 years, children under 19, every 3 years.
To apply for a status card for yourself, or as a parent applying on behalf of a child, we need: 1) the name of your Band; 2) your own registration number.
You can save yourself delay and frustration by having the above information with you when you apply for a Status Card at our office. You might also keep in mind that a Status Card is a "photo ID". We'll snap your picture right at the office, so you might want to make sure you're looking your best for the picture.
Vickie also does status cards for members of the 5 other first nations represented here, namely Tsawataineuk, Kwicksutaineuk-Ah-Kwaw-Ah-Mish, Mamalilikulla-Qwe-Qwa-Sot-Em, Tlowitsis Tribe, and Tlatlasikwala. She is willing to do status cards for members of other first nations as long as she can get authorization from their individual nation or from the Regional office.
VITAL STATISTICS
Recording births, marriages, divorces, and deaths is done by the Membership Clerk for 'Namgis members, and also if requested for members of the 5 other first nations represented here, namely Tsawataineuk, Kwicksutaineuk-Ah-Kwaw-Ah-Mish, Mamalilikulla-Qwe-Qwa-Sot-Em, Tlowitsis Tribe, and Tlatlasikwala. Be sure to promptly notify us of your, or a family member's, change of status.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
There are about 1495 members in the 'Namgis Band, the majority living off-reserve. Keeping track of mailing addresses is an ongoing task, and it is made much more difficult because some people move around a lot and they don¹t give us their new addresses. Maintaining an up-to-date mailing list is especially important for keeping in touch with members as treaty negotiations continue. PLEASE, when you move, let us know your new address right away!
THE PERSON TO SEE
Vickie Brotchie, our Membership Clerk, knows her job very well, having been at it since she joined our staff in '82. Vickie was born and schooled in Prince Rupert but was living in Vancouver when she married in '74 and moved here with husband Steven. They have two grown children, Pearl and Zabrina, and one young grandson Vickie describes as
"very handsome". |