Membership

Membership

Leq’á:mel Membership

Becoming a member of Leq’á:mel First Nation connects you to our community, our culture, and our shared future. Whether you are applying for yourself or your child under the age of 19, our Membership Office is here to help you complete your application, confirm eligibility, and stay connected.

Contact Us

Applying for Leq’á:mel Membership

All applications must be submitted either (1) in person or (2) by mail. Application forms must
be filled out in full (including full names and dates of birth, to avoid delays).

Applying In-Person

  • By appointment only. Please call 604-826-7976 to make an appointment.
  • Bring your filled-out application form. If you are applying on behalf of your child, be sure
  • to fill out Section 4, which must be signed and dated by the parent(s)/guardian(s).
  • Sign and date Section 6 at the very bottom of form.
  • Bring your original supporting documents that we will sign and date, such as:
    • Your long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate,
    • A marriage certificate or legal document proving a name change, (if required)
    • A court document proving you are the legal guardian of the child you are applying for, (if required)
    • Your family tree, which shows Leq’á:mel FN family heritage/ties.

Applying By Mail

  • Take your original supporting documents to a notary public:
    • Your long-form birth certificate or baptismal certificate,
    • A marriage certificate or legal document proving a name change, (if required)
    • A court document proving you are the legal guardian of the child you are applying for, (if required)
  • Ask the notary to make photocopies of each original. They will sign, date, and stamp each photocopy, which must include a stamp that lists their name, their notary license number, an expiry date of their commission and the province or state in which they work.
  • Fill out the application form. If you are applying on behalf of your child, be sure to fill out Section 4, which must be signed and dated by the parent(s)/guardian(s).
  • Sign and date Section 6 at the very bottom of form.
  • Mail your filled out application form, your Leq’á:mel FN family tree, and all photocopies from the notary to our administration office.
  • PLEASE KEEP YOUR ORIGINALS — OUR OFFICE WILL NOT ACCEPT ORIGINAL “SUPPORTING” DOCUMENTS IN THE MAIL.
  • Mail the complete package to:
    Leq’á:mel First Nation
    c/o Membership
    43101 Leq’á:mel Way
    Deroche, BC V0M 1G0

We do not accept faxed, scanned, photocopied, or screenshots of application forms and/or supporting documents.

When applying, you must declare if you are already a member of another Canadian First Nation as your application would be considered a ‘transfer’ application.

Once received, we will confirm receipt of your application package.

Processing Time

Applications are processed in order by the date on which they are received. There are multiple steps taken to verify each applicant’s eligibility, and this does take time, so please be patient.

Applications are processed four times per year; in January, April, July and in October. Please note that due to the large number of applications received, there is a backlog that we are working on diligently. Normal processing times are 3 to 6 months.

Decisions and Appeals

When an application has been fully processed, the applicant will receive a letter from the Membership Registrar via Canada Post, and if possible, by email. In the event that your application has been denied, you will be sent a letter explaining why, and provided with the steps to appeal the decision if you wish to do so.

Applicants must update us with any changes to their contact information as soon as possible to the Membership Registrar: membership@leqamel.ca

Updating Membership Information

If a member has any changes to their mailing address, phone number or email address, please contact the Membership Registrar to update their information.