Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Eastern Shore Metis Nation Association
APPLICATION PROCESS
Q: What is the application fee and why do I have to pay dues for the current year I join?
MEMBERSHIP CARDS
Q: How long will I have to wait for my Membership card?
This strategy was brought forth to encourage members to pay dues. A members card is not reissued if their dues are not paid. It also gives members a chance to update their photo at will.
Q: Can my membership card be used for tax exemption on retail purchases?
MEMBERS OF OTHER METIS ORGANIZATIONS
Q: Can I be a member of more than one Métis organization?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Q: I am looking for educational funding. Where do I look?
Have a question not answered here? Email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to help!
Q: What is the application fee and why do I have to pay dues for the current year I join?
- The application fee is $100.00 and is non-refundable. All members are required to pay dues annually, regardless of when they join. It would be unfair for a member who joins at the beginning of the year to pay, and someone who joins later to not.
- We require the long form birth certificate or baptismal certificate due to needing the names of the parents of the applicant. Without the names of the parents, we are unable to link that applicant to their ancestry. Applicants can obtain this document at the church in which they were baptised for a small donation, depending on the church.
- In order to produce a photo ID, we require a government ID to validate your identity.
- Yes - we require a passport photo due to the parameters of the photo required for the membership cards. Most photos submitted that are not passport photos, are blurry when we scan them to place on the membership card, and therefore will not be accepted.
- Each member has their own file within the organization which shows the Aboriginal and European background. The applicant is responsible in providing the ancestry to the organization as we cannot incur the costs of printing ancestry for each applicant.
- You can call the office for assistance, 902-366-2871. If we cannot find it for you, we will guide you in the right direction and/or refer you to someone that can help you.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS
Q: How long will I have to wait for my Membership card?
- Cards are processed fairly quickly once an application is received, providing the application meets all of the requirements set forth by ESMNA. Processing can take as little as one - two weeks, up to 4 weeks, depending upon where you are geographically located, as well as how many applications the association is preparing at once. If you feel the wait time is too long, please call and inquire.
This strategy was brought forth to encourage members to pay dues. A members card is not reissued if their dues are not paid. It also gives members a chance to update their photo at will.
Q: Can my membership card be used for tax exemption on retail purchases?
- No. membership cards are only proof of membership with our organization. The use of your membership card to obtain exemption on retail purchases is considered fraud, and is punishable by law.
MEMBERS OF OTHER METIS ORGANIZATIONS
Q: Can I be a member of more than one Métis organization?
- No. Being a member of two organizations is considered fraud. In order to apply with another Metis organization, you must cancel your other membership immediately
- You can send a letter to the other organization requesting to be removed from their registry. You will need to return your old card to the previous organization also. Please retain a copy of your letter and card you are returning. For assistance, call the ESMNA office, or the office of your other membership.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
Q: I am looking for educational funding. Where do I look?
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada - http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/eng/forConsumers/lifeEvents/payingPostSecEd/Pages/Grantsbu-Subventi.aspx
- Aboriginal Scholarship Guide - http://www.ammsa.com/community-access/scholarships/search
- Find my Scholarship - http://www.findmyscholarships.com
- Scholarships Canada - http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/
- Aboriginal Bursaries Search Tool - http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1351185180120/1351685455328
- Canada Student Loans - http://www.esdc.gc.ca/en/student_loans/overview.page
Have a question not answered here? Email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to help!