SACP: Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #17

Press Release

DATE: October 11, 2023

In recognition of not only the historical trauma but to acknowledge the living trauma of the Survivors of residential schools and the Sixties Scoop, effective immediately all police agencies in Saskatchewan will waive the fees associated with criminal record checks and fingerprints required for Indigenous people who wish to reclaim their Indigenous name.

This decision supports the Canadian Association of Chief’s of Police’s (CACP) resolution 2023-03 www.cacp.ca and The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action report recommendation:

“17. We call upon all levels of government to enable residential school Survivors and their families to reclaim names changed by the residential school system by waiving administrative costs for a period of five years for the name-change process and the revision of official identity documents,such as birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, health cards, status cards, and social insurance numbers.”

In Saskatchewan, anyone requesting a legal name change requires both a criminal record check and fingerprints, and the payment for these services falls within the scopeof Saskatchewan policing agencies. To further remove barriers for all Indigenous peoplewho wish to complete the name change process, there will be no charge from Saskatchewan policing agencies for these services for those seeking to reclaim their
Indigenous name.

The process for applying for a legal name change in the province of Saskatchewan, can be found on the Government of Saskatchewan website www.saskatchewan.ca.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC’s) recommendations have been instrumental in guiding Canada’s reconciliation efforts, including changes in policing practices and policies.

This work involves building trust, fostering positive relationships, and addressing historical tensions between the law enforcement and the communities we serve.

The Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP) is committed to working collectively with policing agencies and Indigenous people across the province and this policy change is one way we can journey together on a continued path toward reconciliation.

For Media Inquiries contact:

Mitch Yuzdepski
Executive Director SACP
info@sacp.ca
306-222-9455

Chief Rich Lowen
SACP President
Estevan Police Service
306-634-1503

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