Petition to the House of Commons
  Whereas:
  
    Indigenous identity fraud, inclusive of First Nations (people registered as status Indians as per the Indian Act and non-status), Inuit, and Metis, occurs when individuals falsely claim to be an Indigenous person and/or of Indigenous ancestry for personal gain, such as economic resources, research funding, employment, honorary positions, awards, and/or other benefits intended for Indigenous peoples;
     Indigenous identity fraud harms the life experiences of Indigenous peoples by depriving them and their communities of opportunities and resources required to achieve a better life;
    False claims of Indigenous identity and/or ancestry result in limited resources being diverted to non-Indigenous peoples;
    False claims of Indigenous identity and/or ancestry result in misrepresentation, cultural appropriation, and false knowledge productions, both cultural and intellectual;
    False claims of Indigenous identity and/or ancestry undermine the sovereignty of Indigenous individuals and/or communities by diluting their political representation and their decision-making abilities; and
    False claims of Indigenous identity and/or ancestry have legal and economic ramifications such as intellectual property theft and the acquisition of government contracts and funding.
  
  
    We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the House of Commons to act on and prevent Indigenous identity fraud by:
    
    1. Ensuring at every step to consult with representatives from First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities;
    2. Developing and implementing robust legislation that addresses Indigenous identity fraud, which includes establishing clear definitions, mechanisms for enforcement, and legal penalties; and
    3. Developing and implementing standardized verification protocols and practices to authenticate Indigenous identity claims.