Manitoba parents want changes to allow traditional Indigenous names on birth certificates
A new bill brought forward by Manitoba’s NDP would allow parents to give their children traditional Indigenous names.
Ian Bushie, the NDP’s Indigenous Affairs critic, brought forward the bill, which would make changes to Vital Statistics to allow traditional Indigenous names.
“I believe this is important, because naming you child is an important part of the family process,” he said. “And, in the spirit of reconciliation, I believe this is the right thing to do.”
Currently, Vital Statistics Canada is limited to letters A through Z, with English and French accents.
“I believe the system we have now is currently outdated right now,” Bushie said.
Carson Robinson and Zaagaate Jock, two new parents, joined Bushie at the announcement, saying their newborn daughter’s traditional Mohawk name, Atetsenhtsén:we, cannot be registered on a birth certificate.
Robinson said his daughter’s name means “forever healing medicine” in the Mohawk language.
“We want to be able to name our baby how we see fit in our traditional ways of living,” Robinson said.
The family said they are also meeting with Vital Statistics about their situation.
In a statement on Thursday, a spokesperson for Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister Reg Helwer said the province is already accepting traditional Indigenous names that use characters not included in the Vital Statistics Act because “it’s the right thing to do.”
“The act will be amended in due time to include characters not currently included,” the spokesperson said. “However, this issue is significant and emotional for parents and for families, so we need to get it right. We will broadly consult various Indigenous groups and others before bringing forward vital statistics legislation that will reflect the interests of all Manitobans.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.