Indigenous Peoples
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Indigenous Peoples refers generally to the original inhabitants of the land that is now called Canada, regardless of their distinct origins and identities.
It includes:
- First Nations
- Inuit
- Métis
The Canadian Firearms Program is committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with Indigenous Peoples and working together towards ensuring community safety of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
We recognize and honour that Indigenous Peoples have unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
In accordance with the Firearms Act, there are provisions that improve accessibility to the licencing process for Indigenous Peoples in Canada and provide an enhanced focus on Indigenous community safety.
Working with Indigenous organizations, the Canadian Firearms Program provides contribution funding for firearms safety in Indigenous communities.
Applying for a firearms licence
Note
The term "Aboriginal Peoples" is used in accordance with the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms); however, it is broadly understood as referring to "Indigenous Peoples."
The Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptations Regulations (Firearms) help ensure that firearms laws are implemented in a manner that respects the traditional practices of Indigenous Peoples and assists them in navigating barriers they may face when seeking to obtain a Possession and Acquisition Licence.
For the purposes of these Regulations, an Aboriginal individual is an individual who:
- is a member of one of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada; (Indian, Inuit, or Métis) or a beneficiary under a treaty included in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982;
- is a member of an Aboriginal community;
- engages in the traditional hunting practices of the individual's Aboriginal community; and
- for the purposes of applying these Regulations, other than section 20 of these Regulations, has made an application in accordance with section 3 or 9 of the Firearms Licences Regulations, as adapted by section 6 of these Regulations
Should you be interested in applying for a Possession and Acquisition Licence and require assistance in completing the application form, we may be able to assist.
If you are unable to make a written statement on a form, someone else can provide an oral statement on your behalf.
If you are concerned about being refused a licence, or about having conditions placed on your licence, you can ask an Elder or a community leader for a written or verbal recommendation confirming the importance of your engaging in traditional hunting practices. The Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) in your jurisdiction must take these recommendations into consideration.
More information on the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptions Regulations (Firearms) can be found on the Justice Laws Website.
Alternative safety certification
Before applying for a licence, you must first complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and pass the tests.
You may be able to ask for alternative safety certification and not need to take the Firearms Safety Course or pass the tests if you meet one of the criteria below:
Are you an:
- Indigenous Elder — You may ask for alternative certification due to your status as an Elder. You must demonstrate your knowledge of firearms safety and firearms laws to a Chief Firearms Officer.
- Indigenous adult (18+) — You may ask for alternative certification if the safety course is not reasonably available or accessible due to time, location, or cost. You will also need a recommendation from an Indigenous Elder or an Indigenous leader in your community confirming that you have the necessary firearms knowledge.
- Indigenous minor (under 18) — You must provide the Chief Firearms Officer with a recommendation from an Indigenous Elder, an Indigenous community leader, or an adult who
- is at least 18 years old,
- has known you for at least six months before your application, and
- has been safety certified by a Chief Firearms Officer or has passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course tests.
All recommendations by an Indigenous Elder or Indigenous community leader must state that the applicant has the necessary knowledge of firearms safety required to be certified.
Treaty ammunition
Under the Firearms Act ammunition can only be transferred to a person who already has a firearms licence with the following exception.
There are 8 historical treaties between the Government of Canada and select First Nations, which provide those First Nations with varying amounts of ammunition on an ongoing, annual basis.
The Firearms Act has been adapted to permit the transfer of ammunition to beneficiaries of these treaties even if they do not have a firearms licence. Beneficiaries must have a valid firearms licence to buy ammunition.
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