Central Registry Office - FAQs

First, download the Membership/Harvester Application.

The MMF has developed an "objectively verifiable process" to identify both a Métis Citizen and a Métis Harvester. As part of this process the applicant must:

1. Self-identify as Métis: The application for MMF Citizenship Identification card provides an objective and verifiable way of self-identifying as a Métis. The application process, and the subsequent issuance of cards, protect our Métis rights by preventing non-Métis from wrongly claiming and abusing our self-government and harvesting rights;
2. Show an ancestral connection to the Historic Métis Community: In order to objectively verify the ancestral connection to the Historic Métis Nation, applicants in the MMF must submit a copy of their own Métis genealogy, or a family member's Métis genealogy, and the required supporting evidentiary documents;
3. Be accepted by the contemporary Manitoba Métis Community: An objectively verifiable means of showing acceptance by Métis Nation's Manitoba Métis Community is to have the MMF, as its duly elected self-government representative, issue you an MMF Citizenship (also known as membership) card through the application process.

In order to meet this "objectively verifiable process", the Membership/Harvester Application contains the required application forms.

Should you have questions or concerns, please contact your Regional Office, or the Central Registry Office (CRO) at MMF Home Office at (204) 586-8474.

You must acquire an official genealogy that identifies a Métis Nation Ancestor. An official genealogy can be obtained from the following recognized Genealogical Institution:

St. Boniface Historical Society
340 Provencher Boulevard
Winnipeg, MB
Telephone: (204) 233-4888
Website: www.shsb.mb.ca

Yes. You may use a genealogy of a family member if you have authorization from them to do so and it provides a documented link to your genealogy. For example, if you use your Aunt's genealogy you must have the birth or baptismal certificate of your Parent who is related to your Aunt which shows the same Mother and Father as on your Aunt's genealogy. You must also have your birth or baptismal certificate with your Parents' names to prove your relationship to your Parents.

No. Children over the age of 18 years must apply for Citizenship to become a registered Citizen of the Manitoba Métis Community. Children of registered members who are under 18 years of age are entitled to the benefits and/or services of the MMF and to such other benefits as determined by resolution of the MMF Board of Directors. Please check with your Regional Office for more information concerning the benefits and services available to your children.

No. To be a member, or Citizen, of the Manitoba Metis Federation, you only have to demonstrate a historical connection and ancestry with the Manitoba Métis Community. To do this, your application and genealogy must show you were born in, lived as a child in, or currently lives in, a place represented by a MMF Region and Local, or you have direct ancestral connection to a place represented by a MMF Region and Local.

Yes. The new Citizenship residency rules are not applicable to the Metis Harvesting Initiative. Métis Harvesters will still need to be residents in Manitoba, and hunt, fish, and gather according to the Metis Laws of the Harvest and provincial agreements.

If you do not live in Manitoba, you will first need to download the Citizenship/Harvester Application.

As part of the application process, you must:

1. Self-identify as Métis: The application for MMF Citizenship Identification card provides an objective and verifiable way of self-identifying as a Métis. The application process, and the subsequent issuance of cards, protect our Métis rights by preventing non-Métis from wrongly claiming and abusing our self-government and harvesting rights;
2. Show an ancestral connection to the Historic Métis Community: In order to objectively verify the ancestral connection to the Historic Métis Nation, applicants in the MMF must submit a copy of their own Métis genealogy, or a family member's Métis genealogy, and the required supporting evidentiary documents;
3. Be accepted by the contemporary Manitoba Métis Community: An objectively verifiable means of showing acceptance by Métis Nation's Manitoba Métis Community is to have the MMF, as its duly elected self-government representative, issue you an MMF Citizenship card through the application process.

In order to meet this "objectively verifiable process", the Citizenship/Harvester Application contains the required application forms.

Once you have filled out the application, submit your application to the Regional Office responsible for the Region and Local you are most connected to. To help you identify the Region and Local that you are most connected to, you may use this map.

Please be sure to mail your completed application and processing fee to the Region you have identified.

Should you have questions or concerns, please contact your Regional Office, or the Central Registry Office (CRO) at MMF Home Office at (204) 586-8474.

You can find a list of the MMF Regional Offices and their contact information here: MMF Regional Offices.

Yes. To help offset the costs of producing your citizenship card, a fee is to be submitted with your application.

For Manitoba Resident's there is a flat fee of $10.

For Out of Province applicants, the fee is adjusted to recover cost for registered mail to send you your citizenship card. Please see the table below for the fee that is applicable to your resident location.

Within Canada: $20

United States of America $38.00 - $41.00 - Depending on location in the USA

*Fee subject to change as per Canada Post published rates.

No. As the Métis are one of the "aboriginal peoples of Canada" within s.35 of the Constitution Act of 1982 and are distinct from other Indigenous peoples, a person cannot be a member of two different and distinct Indigenous groups.

Yes. Any applicant whose application is rejected has the right to appeal that decision to the Membership Appeal Tribunal, provided that the appeal is placed before the Tribunal, in such form and in such manner as the Board of Directors may prescribe, within sixty (60) days of the decision. Please contact the Central Registry Office (CRO) at (204) 586-8474 for more information regarding the Citizenship Appeal process.

Your citizenship card needs to be renewed every 5 years from date of issue. This permits the Central Registry Office (CRO) to maintain a valid and accurate list of registered citizens. If you allow your Citizenship card to expire, it may affect your ability to access programs and services of the MMF. Check your card for its expiry date and be sure to renew your card prior to this. Expired Card Renewal Form

You may request a replacement card if the information in your file is up to date, complete and confirmed. If your file is incomplete, you will need to provide information required to bring your file up to date and complete. There is a cost of $10 to replace your card. This amount covers the cost of processing a new card. If you have lost your Citizenship card, please contact your Regional Office or the Central Registry Office (CRO) at (204) 586-8474.

No. You only need to complete one application. However, the Citizenship Card does not identify you as a Métis Harvester. A separate MMF Harvester Identification Card is issued to Métis Harvesters. Please note that only Métis Citizens who are residents of Manitoba and are abiding by the Metis Laws of the Hunt can hunt, fish, and gather in Manitoba. At this time, the MMF Harvester Identification card does not provide you the privilege to hunt outside the province of Manitoba.

No. Indian Status cards are issued by the Federal Government under the Authority of the Indian Act. The MMF Métis Citizenship card identifies you as Métis - one of the "aboriginal peoples of Canada" within s.35 of the Constitution Act of 1982. It provides you with the rights and privileges afforded to all Métis Citizens - which include access to educational funding, economic development opportunities and the right to harvest. The MMF Métis Citizenship card identifies you as a member of the Métis Nation's Manitoba Métis Community - Canada's Partner in Confederation and Founder of Manitoba.

Additional Citizenship/Harvester Forms

• Citizenship Harvester Application - Revised-January-2021
• Citizenship Harvester Application - Revised January 2021 (FR)
• Download the Citizenship/Harvester Transfer Region/Local Form
• Download the Citizenship/Harvester Change of Address Form
• Download the Citizen/Harvester Deceased Member Form
• Download the MMF Citizenship Renewal Form