As we continue the Collaborative Process regarding the Second Generation Cutoff, we’re gathering anonymous feedback from the former Michel Band #472 descendants. Results of the responses gathered through the questionnaire will be provided to Indigenous Services Canada. We invite descendants to complete the questionnaire: https://forms.gle/r9odeLdYFdV6xuwB9 Responses will be gathered until Monday, December 29th, 2025 at 4:00PM MST.

Ottawa, Ontario (September 24, 2025) – The Minister of Indigenous Services, Mandy Gull-Masty, issued the following statement today: “The introduction of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), represents a critical step toward addressing long-standing inequities under the registration provisions of the Indian Act that have deeply affected First Nations individuals and families. For decades, thousands lost entitlement to registration and membe

November 11, 2025 Tansi! Greetings to our Michel descendants! The last week of October was a busy and very exciting one for Michel Callihoo Nation Society (MCNS) Board of Directors as we travelled to Ottawa to garner support for the passage of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements), and band creation. Our main purpose was the testimony of Beverley Asmann before the Standing Committee on Indigenous People to support the passing of Bill S-2. Du

The presentation slides from the Bill S-2 Information Session held on November 27 are now available on our website. A recording of the presentation will be shared in the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience as we gather and share this information.

Did you know you can request a family history search to find out if you have ancestors registered under the Indian Act?

October 8th Standing Senate Committee on Indigenous Peoples: Witness Brandy Callihoo, Director (Michel Callihoo Nation Society) In early October, Director Brandy Callihoo was one of several MCNS directors who bravely offered testimony in favour of Bill S-2 in Ottawa. Brandy shared how the enfranchisement of Michel Callihoo Band in 1958 via Section 112 of the Indian Act has impacted her family.  “Can you imagine being stripped of everything you’ve ever known? The loss of famil

Tune in on Thursday November 27th at 4:00 PM MST to watch Director Beverley Asmann and Troy Chailfoux on APTN’s Nation to Nation with Karen Puliese.

UPDATE: The recording of last week’s presentation on Bill S-2 Second Generation Cutoff will be available on our website and Facebook page next week. Thank you for your patience. MCNS and ISC will be hosting an Information Session on Second Generation Cutoff tomorrow, November 27th at 6:00 PM. Please use the following link to join the session: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86247675740 On the day of the session, open the link and enter your name and email. You will then be placed i

With warm holiday wishes, we invite you to join us for our Christmas Dinner Presentations on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Hazeldean Hall. There will be a delicious holiday meal, fun activities, and good company as we celebrate the year and look forward to the next. Presentations will take place from 2:00–4:30 pm, with dinner served at 5:00 pm.

October 27, 2025 (Unceded Algonquin Anishinabek Territory | Ottawa, ON) The Michel Callihoo Nation Society (MCNS), representing the descendants of the historic Michel Band #472, is calling on Parliament to urgently pass Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements). This legislation marks a critical step toward reconciliation and justice for thousands of Indigenous peoples who have been systematically stripped of their identity, rights, and communit

The agenda for the Treaty Pay Event on September 19th is now available. Take a look at what's planned for the day. We hope to see you there!!

Save the date! Michel Callihoo Nation Society will be hosting a Treaty Pay event at Place Chateau Nova Edmonton (Yellowhead Trail) on September 19, 2025 Updates to follow Check back on our website and follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MichelCallihoo to keep up to date with MCNS events!

tân'si everyone! MCNS Director Brandy Callihoo sat down with the CBC's Nancy Carlson to discuss the history of Michel Band #472, our exploratory discussions with the Government of Canada and what it means to be on this path of Reconciliation. Check out the interview by clicking the link below! https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6477019 aiy hiy, Michel Callihoo Nation Society

tân'si everyone! Samantha Schwientek with CBC Indigenous wrote a wonderful article about Michel Callihoo Nation Society and our...

Generations of persons, including those who may have been previously denied, are now entitled to registration or could become newly...

(Information gathered from Indigenous Services Canada) Click to find an information kit for rights-holders "Since 1985, the second-generation cut-off has continued to have deep impacts on First Nation individuals, communities and families. The second-generation cut-off prevents many First Nations people with status under the Indian Act from passing entitlement on to their children and grandchildren simply because of the person with whom they chose to parent. The issue of dou

Finding out if you're entitled to Indian Status can be daunting. We're here to assist you in any way we can. From the Government of Canada: "To find out if you're entitled to be registered, ask yourself: Are either or both of my parents registered or entitled to be registered? Are any of my grandparents registered or entitled to be registered? Is anyone in my immediate or extended family registered or entitled to be registered?" For a person, 16 or older, the Government of Ca

Bill C-38 is a proposed piece of legislation addressing the impacts of enfranchisement. Although Bill C-31 made revisions to the Indian Act in 1985, it didn't solve every problem for the descendants of enfranchised Indigenous Peoples. Bill C-38 aims to fix these problems by providing entitlement for the descendants of enfranchised Indigenous Peoples. Descendants would also be given the ability to have their names entered in a Departmental Band List; enable women to regain m

Bill C-31 amended the Indian Act in 1985. The Bill intended to ensure the Indian Act was equal with the rights guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Bill enabled women and their children who had previously lost their Indian Status to regain Status. In addition, Bill C-31 ensured a person's marriage couldn't affect their Indian Status. Some of the changes included: Indigenous women who married non-Indigenous men no longer lost their Status. Indigen

Section 17(1) enables the responsible Minister to create a new Band. Section 17(1)(b), which is relevant to Michel Callihoo Nation Society and the descendants of Michel Band #472 enables us to request the creation of a new Band. As there is no method to restore Michel Band #472, Section 17(1)(b) is our only method of creating a home for descendants. Read more about Section 17 below to understand how it affects the descendants of Michel Band #472 and Michel Callihoo Nation Soc