“When children are stripped of their status, their connection to community, culture, and identity is severed and that is cultural genocide. True reconciliation requires that our Nations define who our citizens are not colonial legislation.” – Grand Chief Jerry Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 4, 2025
OTTAWA, ON — Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) Grand Chief Jerry Daniels addressed the Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples (APPA) today calling for an end to Canada’s paternalistic control over First Nations identity and for reforms that uphold Indigenous self-determination in citizenship.
Representing 32 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations across southern Manitoba and more than 87,000 First Nation citizens, Grand Chief Daniels recognized the introduction of Bill S-2: An Act to Amend the Indian Act as a positive step toward eliminating longstanding discrimination in registration; however, he cautioned that the legislation still falls short of full justice for First Nations families.
“The ongoing impacts of The Indian Act have divided families, denied identity, and eroded community connections for generations,” said Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “We can no longer accept Canada’s paternalistic views of who we are. When children are stripped of their status, their connection to community, culture, and identity is severed and that is cultural genocide. True reconciliation requires that our Nations define who our citizens are not colonial legislation.”
Grand Chief Daniels urged the Senate to support Bill S-2 while committing to further reforms, including abolishing the second-generation cut-off rule—a discriminatory provision that prevents children and grandchildren of status holders from registration if two consecutive generations have a non-status parent.
SCO is proposing that this rule be replaced with a one-parent entitlement standard, aligning with principles of equality, human rights, and inherent Indigenous jurisdiction over citizenship.
The Grand Chief also emphasized that legislative reform must be accompanied by proper resources and accountability.
“Expanding eligibility will increase demands on already under-resourced communities,” said Grand Chief Daniels. “Canada must ensure adequate funding, transparency, and support so that no citizen is left behind as registration reforms move forward.”
SCO’s key recommendations to the Senate include:
- First Nations-led control over citizenship: Transitioning from federal control of Indian status to recognition of First Nations’ inherent authority to define their own membership.
- Adequate resourcing and transparency: Ensuring federal funding reflects population growth and that progress reports and data are publicly available.
- Alignment with UNDRIP commitments: Ensuring Canada’s actions are consistent with its obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan.
“No child of a status First Nation parent should be excluded from belonging, or stripped of their ability to reconnect, carry on culture, or access rights and services,” Grand Chief Daniels added. “The two-parent rule must end.”
Grand Chief Daniels concluded by reaffirming SCO’s commitment to work collaboratively with the Senate and Indigenous Services Canada to advance legislative reforms grounded in inherent law, treaty relationships, and the restoration of Nationhood.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 32 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca