Information for Adopted Native Americans
A starting place......
Canadian information listed first. US Resident information listed lower in the web page.
Certificate of Exemption - Ontario - Ministry of Finance
How to Obtain a Certificate of Exemption (Gas and Tobacco Card)
In order to improve and speed up the processing of issuing of the Ontario Certificates of Exemption (Gas Cards), the Ontario Ministry of Finance has advised us that the Application for Certificate of Exemption PE 360, is no longer in use.
The procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Exemption (Gas Card) is outlined as follows:
A written request from each applicant must be mailed or faxed directly to the Ministry of Finance, with a legible photocopy of the front and back of his/her valid Indian Photo Status Card from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, along with the applicant’s telephone number and mailing address, and a reason for requesting a card.
Applicants who have not received their Gas Card within three (3) weeks should contact the Ministry. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact their office at (905) 433-6432.
ADDRESS Ministry of Finance Motor Fuels and Tobacco Branch Refund Programs P.O. Box 625, 33 King Street, West Oshawa, ON L1H 8H9 FAX: (905) 436 - 4511
Canadian Federal Programs and Services for Registered Indians
The answer is in the federal Indian Act. It defines an Indian as "a person who, pursuant to this Act, is registered as an Indian or is entitled to be registered as an Indian." To be eligible to receive benefits under the Indian Act, individuals must be registered in the Indian Register, which is maintained by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND). The recognition by the federal government of persons registered under the Indian Act is referred to as Registered Indian Status. Please note that most of the benefits mentioned in this booklet do not apply to Non-Status Indians Ñ individuals of First Nation ancestry who are not registered under the Indian Act.
Knowing which programs and policies apply to you may be difficult. Social legislation varies across the ten provinces and three territories and so do the services available to Canadians in general and to Aboriginal people in particular. What you are eligible for depends largely on where you live.
You can, however, find out about specific benefits provided by the federal government by contacting regional and district offices of DIAND, Health Canada (contact information is listed at the end of this document) or First Nation offices and tribal councils. However, there are a number of health-related goods and services that are not insured by provinces and territories or other private insurance plans. To support First Nations people and Inuit in reaching an overall health status that is comparable with other Canadians, Health Canada's Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program provides coverage for a limited range of these goods and services when they are not insured elsewhere. The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program is Health Canada's national, needs-based health benefit program that funds benefit claims for a specified range of drugs, dental care, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, short-term crisis intervention mental health counselling and medical transportation for eligible First Nations people and Inuit. WHO IS AN ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT? A USA.gov site, with information on Tribal Governemnts. Links include information relating to Student Aid, Cheap Gas, how to appy for goverment benefits and how to contact elected officials. http://www.usa.gov/Government/Tribal.shtml
WHAT'S INSIDE THE Non-Insured Health Benefits PROGRAM for First Nations and INuit.
Provinces and territories are responsible for delivering health care services, guided by the provisions of the Canada Health Act. Health care services include insured hospital care and primary health care, such as physicians and other health professional services. Like any other resident, First Nations people and Inuit access these insured services through provincial and territorial governments.
An eligible recipient is someone who is allowed or entitled to receive benefits such as vision care, drugs or other services from the NIHB Program. As an eligible recipient you must be identified as a resident of Canada and one of the following:
A registered Indian according to the Indian Act
An Innu member of one of the two Innu communities in Labrador (Davis Inlet and Sheshatshiu)
An Inuk recognized by one of the Inuit Land Claim organizations
An infant less than age one (1), whose parent is an eligible recipient
BENEFITS PROVIDED
Drugs
Medical Transportation
Dental Medical Supplies and Equipment
Vision
Crisis Intervention Counselling
Provincial health care premiums, where applicable
Are you a US resident Native American? If you are adopted and struggling to find out information, you will find the links below useful.