Odanak families fear losing Indian status as Bill S-2 stalls in Ottawa

The rule at issue

second-generation cut-off

Under the Indian Act's second-generation cut-off, a person with status cannot pass it on to their children unless the other parent also has status. Senators amended Bill S-2 in late 2025 to let one parent's status be enough.

Odanak members who cannot pass on status

1,340 people

In the Abenaki community of Odanak, 1,340 people, just over 41 per cent of registered members, cannot pass on their status, according to Indigenous Services Canada.

"The goal is that we no longer exist."

— Michèle Audette, Innu senator, sponsor of Bill S-2

Senator Audette

Ottawa is stalling

Minister Gull-Masty

Consult first

Audette and some opposition MPs accuse the Liberal government of stalling the bill, now before a Commons committee. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty says First Nations must first be properly consulted.

Odanak

Quebec

Odanak's own membership code needs only one Abenaki grandparent, so the community recognizes members who do not have Indian status.

Canada · 18 d ago

Odanak families fear losing Indian status as Bill S-2 stalls in Ottawa

In the Abenaki community of Odanak, 1,340 people, just over 41 per cent of registered members, cannot pass on their status, according to Indigenous Services Canada.

"The goal is that we no longer exist."

Odanak's own membership code needs only one Abenaki grandparent, so the community recognizes members who do not have Indian status.

Odanak families fear losing Indian status as Bill S-2 stalls in Ottawa

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