NDP MLA pushes for repeal of all legal birth name limits

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This article was published 18/05/2022 (1343 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

At just three months old, a wide-eyed and babbling Atetsenhtsén:we Robinson-Jock made her first contribution to Manitoba’s political discourse in a bid to see her Mohawk name formally recognized by the province.

On Wednesday, the infant took in proceedings of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly with parents Carson Robinson and Zaagaate Jock to show support for NDP MLA Ian Bushie’s private member’s bill: the Vital Statistics Amendment Act.

After Atetsenhtsén:we was born, the young parents were dismayed to learn the spelling of their daughter’s name would not be accepted by Vital Statistics.

Provincial legislation currently prohibits the use of characters other than letters A through Z, accents from English or French, hyphens and apostrophes on birth certificates. The colon required to pronounce Atetsenhtsén:we correctly in Kanien’kéha (the Mohawk dialect) would not make the cut.

“We want to be able to name our baby how we see fit in our traditional ways,” Robinson said.

Bushie said the proposed legislation was inspired by Atetsenhtsén:we’s story and would ensure Manitobans have culturally appropriate names on their identification documents.

Bill 236 would repeal all limits on characters accepted by Vital Statistics. It would also allow parents to register a child with a single name, in keeping with their cultural heritage.

Parents would have to provide the director of Vital Statistics with evidence the single name is in accordance with the child’s culture and requests would be subject to approval from the agency.

“I believe the system we have now is currently outdated,” the MLA for Keewatinook said. “Naming your child is a very important part of a family process and even in the spirit of reconciliation we believe this is the right thing to do.

“(The system) can be truly reflective of the culture and beliefs of not only Indigenous people here in Manitoba, but Manitobans in general.”

Government Services Minister Reg Helwer said the province was already considering legislative amendments to accommodate a range of characters and symbols under the Vital Statistics Act.

“We’re already doing this in Vital Statistics because it’s the right thing to do, and we’re broadly consulting with various groups in Manitoba to make sure that legislation that’s brought in will reflect all of their needs and desires, as opposed to just one group,” Helwer said.

However, the provincial government has not yet started its public consultation.

Earlier this year, Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels called on the province to immediately make the changes necessary for Vital Statistics to accommodate the spellings of Indigenous names, saying any delay would detract from the spirit of reconciliation.

In the meantime, Helwer said Vital Statistics will work with people on a case-by-case basis and try to accommodate names that would not be permitted under current legislation.

“The format is there for them to apply for what they want to have as a birth name,” Helwer said. “I realize this is very emotional and significant for parents.”

The Tory government will bring forward the “proper” legislation to address concerns raised by the Robinson-Jock family and the SCO, Helwer said. However, proposed changes would not be introduced before the next session begins in November.

Robinson encouraged the Progressive Conservatives to work across party lines and support Bill 236 “for the future of our babies, and for the namesakes and our identity.” Without government support, the bill would fail.

“Gathering the support to have it brought into the legislative building as quickly and soundly as possible was important to us and important to so many other people,” Robinson said.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca