First Nations people wishing to no longer have their ethnicity displayed on their health card can now have it removed.
The province dropped the “R” for “Registered Indian” on health cards March 1, stating this information is not required to obtain health care.
“Making the decision to remove the “R” from Saskatchewan Health Cards by the Province of Saskatchewan is a great day for Indigenous people,” Saskatoon Tribal Council Tribal Chief Mark Arcand said. “This is a positive step toward reconciliation. We look forward to continuing to work together to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples, so we can all have a quality of life.”
Individuals can still self-declare when applying for a health card, but it will not be displayed.