Return to Squamish Nation: IRL Support for Status Card Renewals
Avneet Takhar
On a chilly morning with clear skies and beautiful mountain views, a duo of our OneFeather team were making our winding way down to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Totem Hall. Having had success helping folks during our last visit, we were feeling happy to be back for round 2 of: mission status card assistance, let’s get it!
* Check us out trying to be TikTok boomers at the event here 😅 and follow if you want to see more!
![Kristle strikes a pose by the magnificent Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw building](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/hzw28nbp/production/bdee783aeccc02531ce36fa0027da9142d79871a-3456x5184.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
As we know, status card applications have long been a source of difficulty for First Nations folks in accessing their rights and entitlements. Providing an online solution at OneFeather works towards greater accessibility for applicants rather than lengthy paperwork, but we know that when technology is involved sometimes a helping hand is needed to just propel things a little faster to the finish line.
"Kristle was good, working with our local office, and member services, it worked really well, as they knew our members locally. Kristle was there to help right away, with her understanding and patience.
We want OneFeather to continue to attend our community! O’Siem! (All my Relations).” - Christine Baker, General Manager at Squamish Nation
![Squamish Nation elder at the hall 🧡](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/hzw28nbp/production/4f086bcb38e945f6ecaa79679d0aa33131843bd2-5184x3456.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
"I'm deeply committed to reconciliation, and I don’t think there is anything more valuable than to be there in communities.
Listening to personal stories is crucial for our work. Almost everyone has a past experience of frustration when trying to get their status card—with many just being simple renewals, highlighting a flawed system. My passion for what we do at OneFeather is fuelled by these stories. I want to make everyday life easier, and to remove the systemic barriers folks are repeatedly faced with.
Each application is a person, and we’re dedicated to ensuring they don’t experience that same frustration that has become the status quo. I’ll go the extra mile to make sure our applicants are supported because that’s the way it should be!" - Kristle Bokitch, Design Lead at OneFeather
![Your OneFeather helpers Avneet's (myself) and Kristle's cheesy grins hopefully comforted folks rather than scared them away haha](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/hzw28nbp/production/83cc06c28954939da02555ca390193df84d5d43c-2258x2987.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
It also appeared that we may not have been alone with our awesome clients during the support follow-along session, as out of nowhere the shutter from my camera clicked on itself AND Kristle's tightly laced shoelaces came undone. 🫨 There are some mysteries we couldn’t solve that day, but we were glad to solve those of our applicants' at least!
Interested in IRL Support?
The set-up of our events is self-serve where a team member does a demo of the application process and answers questions. This will be to obtain a SCIS (Secure Certificate Indian Status). OneFeather doesn't physically do the applications for folks, but we're there to assist and help as much as possible!
If you’d like OneFeather in-person support for large groups to do online status card renewals/replacements (Personal and Dependent applications) for your First Nation band, please contact us at: marketing@onefeather.ca.
* We try our best to accommodate all large groups, but please remember that we’re a small team and can only journey out if a team member with a vehicle lives in proximity of the desired location, and work schedule permitting. Gila’kasla (thank you)!