Responding to a Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action, the Yukon government will no longer charge fees associated with reclaiming traditional Indigenous names on government birth certificates.
The government's fee waiver takes effect on June 30.
Per the government's website, the fee for name changes is presently $50 with an additional $17.50 for each family member included on the application. Payments associated with change of name applications, searches related to the name change process, issuing new birth certificates and alterations or correction to name change documents are being waived according to the website. No proof of Indigenous identity is being required.
"This applies to name changes made under both the Change of Name Act and the Vital Statistics Act and reflects the Government of Yukon's ongoing commitment to reconciliation, cultural revitalization and respect for Indigenous identity," a June 20 Yukon government statement pm the policy change reads.
"The policy supports Indigenous Yukoners who wish to reclaim their traditional names, including people whose names may have been changed or lost as a result of colonial policies such as residential schools and the Sixties Scoop. In addition, the RCMP and other police services are waiving fingerprinting fees when required for legal name change processes related to name reclamation."
The government considers the move a direct response to Call to Action #17 issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The call to action, one of 94, calls on all levels of government to waive fees associated with reclaiming names changed by the residential school system for a period of five years. The call to action specifies that the fee waiver should apply to birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, health cards, status cards, and social insurance numbers.
"Today marks an important step forward on our path toward reconciliation. By enabling the reclamation of traditional names, we are honouring Indigenous identity, supporting cultural restoration and responding to the long-standing impacts of colonialism," said Tracy-Anne McPhee, the territory's health and social services minister, quoted in the June 20 statement.
According to the government, work is underway to better support Indigenous naming reclamation by increasing naming options available by making the use of single names, special characters, symbols and diacritics available.
Editor's Note: The Yukon News has decided to waive payment for legal advertising in our publication associated with name changes reclaiming Indigenous names effective immediately.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
