New applications for membership are now being accepted. Letters of acceptance will be given in lieu of  membership cards until after the court case, as the case may affect the wording on the cards and how the cards are issued.

TO APPLY FOR A NEW MEMBERSHIP:

1. To receive your application form, send the appropriate fees to SWNM :
   a) $100 – defense fund contribution
   b) $40 – genealogy fee (if you need your genealogy verified)
   c) $20 – annual membership dues
   d) $10 – card processing fees

2. Complete the membership application form (including the genealogy form on the last two pages)

3. Attach two photocopies of your long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate.

4. Attach four recent colour photos (1” x 1.25”)

5. Attach two copies of your genealogy that has been certified by a Genealogical Records Searcher (GRS) or a Certified Genealogist (CG). See Genealogy page.

6. If your genealogy is not certified and you were born in Nova Scotia, a second option is offered. SWNM can arrange for a researcher to certify the information given on the SWNM genealogy form. This service is offered at a flat rate of $40 to cover research time and expenses. Copies of supporting information must be sent with the application. Applicants should expect to get confirmation of their aboriginal ancestry within 6 weeks. There will be no refunds if aboriginal ancestry cannot be confirmed by the researcher.

7. If you have a sibling or parent who is a member of SWNM in good standing who has already provided a certified genealogy to SWNM or who has had their genealogy certified through SWNM, then only the membership application form and two copies of the long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate are required.

TO APPLY FOR A CARD RENEWAL:

Existing SWNM cards are valid until December 2010. When card renewals are required, this will be the process.

1. To receive your application form, send the appropriate fees to SWNM :
   a) $40 – genealogy fee (if you need your genealogy verified)
   b) $20 – annual membership dues
   c) $10 – card processing fees

2. Complete the membership application form (including the genealogy form on the last two pages)

3. Attach four recent colour photos (1” x 1.25”)

4. If a your genealogy that is on file is not certified, then attach two copies of your genealogy that has been certified by a Genealogical Records Searcher (GRS) or a Certified Genealogist (CG). See Genealogy page.

5. If your genealogy is not certified and you were born in Nova Scotia, a second option is offered. SWNM can arrange for a researcher to certify the information given on the SWNM genealogy form. This service is offered at a flat rate of $40 to cover research time and expenses. Copies of supporting information should be sent with the application. Applicants should expect to get confirmation of their aboriginal ancestry within 6 weeks. There will be no refunds if aboriginal ancestry cannot be confirmed by the researcher.

6. If you have a sibling or parent who is a member of SWNM in good standing who has already provided a certified genealogy to SWNM or who has had their genealogy certified through SWNM, then only the membership application form is required.

SAMPLE APPLICATION FORM - all information contained within is fictional and is meant to be an example only

Membership is open to all Métis individuals who reside in Nova Scotia or whose family originated in Nova Scotia. A Métis person is:

• a person of mixed Native-American and non-Native-American heritage;

• a person who self-identifies as Métis; and

• accepted by a Métis community as being Métis

All three criteria must be met as well as providing proof of Native-American heritage upon applying for membership. There is NO blood quantum requirement. We do not see ourselves as simply being a percentage of our Native-American heritage, but as being 100% Métis and nothing else.

Our members come from all walks of life and heritage. Most are indigenous Métis of Mi'kmaw and Wampanoag heritage. Others are western Métis whose heritage may be Cree, Ojibwa, Blackfoot, Sioux, Cherokee, or others. Our commonalities are our inability to walk comfortably in the everyday worlds of either side of our heritage, and our wish to simply be who we are - Métis.

What is the Certificate of Aboriginal Status that is issued by the Sou'West Nova Métis Council?

First and foremost, it is a membership card signifying that you are a Sou'West Nova Métis and a member of the Canadian Métis Council.

It is an identification card - signifying that you are a person of aboriginal ancestry and recognized under the Canada Constitution Act, 1982 as such and therefore have all the rights, opportunities, and privileges accorded to aboriginal people. This card system is similar to the way Status Indians are registered with the Government of Canada through the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and receive a "Certificate of Indian Status" card with an identification number. This card is used as an identification card for purposes such as:

• Harvesting rights (hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering) - (under negotiation)

• Employment (some employers ask for proof of aboriginal ancestry to qualify for employment equity programs)

• Education (some institutions ask for proof of aboriginal ancestry to qualify for aboriginal-specific bursaries, scholarships, and programs

• Procurement (a portion of government services contracts are reserved for aboriginal people and companies and require proof of aboriginal ancestry)