A Declaration of Ancestry is required by all Team BC participants for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). This Declaration of Ancestry must be provided in advance of the event (per the date specified by Team BC). Information on where to complete the Declaration of Ancestry will become available soon! For more information, please email us at teambc@isparc.ca.
Why is a “Declaration of Ancestry” Required?
Athletes competing in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) or National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) must be born of North American Indigenous ancestry. All contingents participating in NAIG or NAHC must represent the Indigenous Peoples of a Province/Territory in Canada or a State/Region in the United States of America. Only athletes registered with a contingent are eligible to compete in the NAIG or NAHC.
What is a “Declaration of Ancestry”?
Indigenous ancestry is a general term that refers to individuals who are First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, or Inuit. A Declaration of Ancestry is the formal process to declare your ancestry and provide the supporting documentation that proves your ancestry. While some declaration forms may vary between events, a declaration of ancestry is typically made up of the document(s) that prove your Indigenous ancestry and lineage (e.g., birth certificates, etc.).
What is considered “Proof of Ancestry”?
Typical examples of acceptable proof of ancestry includes a Status Card, Treaty Card, Métis Nation BC Card, Inuit or Inuvialuit identification.
To apply for citizenship with Métis Nation BC, please visit Citizenship | MNBC. It is highly recommended that prospective athletes do this as early as possible, due to the processing times.
For those without an identification card, the Declaration of Ancestry may be completed with other types of supporting documentation. Examples of other types of supporting documentation can include (but are not limited to): a letter from your respective Band registrar confirming your membership, or a letter from Indigenous Services Canada confirming registration with a First Nation, or a copy of your parent’s status card or Métis card together with the long form birth certificate for the athlete that names the parent. If Status Cards are expired, Team BC athletes will require submitting a renewal application with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) or local band office. Alternatively, you can also ask for a letter from your First Nation Registrar verifying that you are a registered member.
What is involved with a “Declaration of Ancestry”?
More details to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
For NAHC and the NAIG, a valid Indian Status Card, Métis Nation Card, or Inuit Identification Card are considered proof of ancestry.
Please see below for accepted Ancestry Documents.
Status Cards:
Métis Cards:
British Columbia Métis Card:
Saskatchewan Métis Card:
Manitoba Métis Card:
Ontario Métis Card:
Alberta Métis Card:
Northwest Territories Health Card
*with letters FN, IN, M
If your Indian Status Card, Métis Nation Card, or Inuit Identification Card has expired, you will be required to complete a Declaration of Ancestry form and submit proof of ancestry by following the instructions above.
If you do not have an Indian Status Card, Métis Nation Card, or Inuit Identification Card (as identified above), (e.g., non-status Indians), you must complete the questionnaire under the Declaration of Ancestry heading in your Client Profile. A Declaration of Indigenous Ancestry form must be completed and supporting documentation must be uploaded and verified by a member of the Team BC Mission Staff.