By Harinder Mahil
There have been many reports and studies over the years that show Indigenous people in Canada continue to face racism and discrimination. According to a new report released by the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) last week Indigenous people who use status cards in everyday transactions often experience racism.
A survey released with the report found 99 per cent of respondents had been mistreated and discriminated against when they used the government-issued cards to purchase goods or services.
Whenever I am asked to provide my identification, I produce my driver’s license which shows my name, address and my picture. When an Aboriginal person is asked for his or her ID, they can produce either a driver’s license or a status card. A status card is a piece of government issued ID for someone who identifies as status Indian, as defined by the federal Indian Act. The cards, which have been a valid piece of identification in Canada for more than 60 years, can be used for health coverage, dental expenses, to cross the Canada US border, and to open bank accounts.
In a news release announcing the Report’s findings the Union of BC Indian Chiefs stated that Indian status card holders face stigma and discrimination on a daily basis when presenting them at stores or to officials, according to the study commissioned by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.
Those who responded to the survey said the racism was often more subtle than bold: nearly three-quarters said store clerks functioned as though status cards were a “hassle,” while another 63 per cent said staff didn’t believe or understand the cards to be acceptable ID. More than 60 per cent said store clerks were simply rude after seeing the cards, despite being polite to other customers.
The full report is titled “They Sigh or Give You the Look: Discrimination and Status Card Usage” and was prepared using a comprehensive methodology to provide recommendations for government, businesses, and the media.
UBCIC commissioned the independent report as part of its standing in the human rights complaint filed by Maxwell Johnson, a Heiltsuk man who along with his teenage granddaughter was unlawfully arrested and detained when they presented their federal status cards to open an account at a branch of the Bank of Montreal.
Although Canada is seen as a champion of human rights around the world the issue of discrimination faced by Aboriginal people continues to haunt the country. With a high proportion of Aboriginal people in prison, on parole or at risk, Canada has an urgent problem to contend with.
The government of Canada states it is committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership as the foundation for transformative change. If this is so, the least it can do is educate the public about status cards.
We all have a responsibility to treat each other with respect. This is the only way to eliminate racism and discrimination against Indigenous people.
Harinder Mahil is President of the West Coast Coalition Against Racism (WCCAR).
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