Survey launches to examine treatment of Indigenous people with status cards in B.C.

Indigenous leaders in B.C. are attempting to determine how widespread racism and discrimination is when First Nations people present their status cards. 

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs says a survey was prompted after an Indigenous man, Maxwell Johnson, and his 14-year-old granddaughter were handcuffed after a BMO bank worker at the Burrard branch in Downtown Vancouver reported the pair to the police in late 2019. VPD has said the call was made because the worker claimed they produced “fraudulent Indian Status cards.”

“This study will begin to address the lack of data on status card use, help us measure the extent of the problem and provide us the means to address it. We have to address racism and discrimination in concrete ways. It is completely unacceptable that First Nations using a status card should be treated with anything other than respect,” Chief Don Tom, UBCIC Vice-President, said. 

Johnson, the Heiltsuk Nation member, agreed to a settlement with the Bank of Montreal last month. 

B.C.’s complaint commissioner later said the officers acted “recklessly” and exposed the pair to trauma while using unnecessary force. 

Part of the settlement includes an undisclosed payment from the bank and hanging Johnson’s artwork at the Burrard branch where the incident happened. Suspensions and written apologies were ordered for the officers involved.

UBCIC President, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, says the survey will also “let us know how widespread the fear of using a status card is, and give us the tools we need to make change in the courts of law and public opinion. It will also tell us more about how Indigenous people adapt their clothes, their demeanor and their conversation to avoid racism.”

Related Articles: 

• B.C. Indigenous man, granddaughter settle human rights complaint against BMO for wrongful arrest

• Vancouver officers’ arrest of Indigenous man, granddaughter at bank ruled misconduct

• Arrest of Indigenous girl, grandfather at Vancouver BMO prompts investigation, mayor demands accountability

• BMO apologizes after Indigenous 12-year-old girl and grandfather reported to police by staff

In an email statement to CityNews, spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada, Madeleine Warlow, says “It is not necessary to hold a status card or secure status card to access federal benefits, programs or services a person is entitled to as an individual registered under the Indian Act.”

Over the past few months, the ICS has taken steps to educate retailers on the use of status cards and expired cards, Warlow adds. 

“We continue to work with police services, and financial institutions to ensure they recognize status cards as a valid form of identity. Indigenous Services Canada also provides information for retailers and other service providers on our website, to help them recognize status cards,” she said.

The ISC has also called on Indigenous people to renew their status cards. 

The UBCIC survey is open until July 1 and hopes to hear from at least 1,000 respondents. 

UBCIC says results could be used for ongoing and future legal proceedings.