Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - June 22, 2024 - Indigenous identity fraud is a complex issue that has been raised by the Canadian government, with concerns about the role of the federal government in defining who is a rights-holder.

The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Gary Anandasangaree, believes that it is not the federal government's role to define what an Indigenous person is.

However, as recognition of Indigenous rights often comes from the federal government, Anandasangaree and Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu have been under pressure from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis groups to either not participate in the discussion or do more to ensure their rights are respected.

The issue of identity fraud came to a head last fall with a controversial bill in the House of Commons that sought to recognize Metis governments in Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

First Nations and the Manitoba Metis Federation oppose the bill, while the federal government maintains it is required by court cases and the Constitution.

Anandasangaree believes that recognizing rights is "very difficult," but decisions need to be made over the next few years, including about the recognition of Metis.