Peguis First Nation in Manitoba has alerted members about upcoming changes to federal Indian Act registration rules under Bill S-2 (An Act to amend the Indian Act — new registration entitlements). The amendments are intended to address historic ‘enfranchisement’ provisions that caused many people and their descendants to lose Indian status.
Indigenous Services Canada and the federal government are working to meet an April 2026 deadline granted by the British Columbia Supreme Court for Parliament to pass implementing legislation. The department has said, if adopted, Bill S-2 would restore entitlement to individuals and their descendants lost through enfranchisement; the federal statement said the amendments are expected to allow about 3,500 people to register under the Indian Act nationally.
To prepare for the changes, Peguis launched a community poll on Feb. 2, 2026 asking members how leadership should represent people living on- and off-reserve. Peguis’ Membership Office is using the Peguis Emergency Centre & Firehall as a local hub for legal-status consultations and membership intake.
These updates are particularly significant for Peguis, the largest First Nation in Manitoba. Peguis’ official site lists an approximate membership in the low tens of thousands (sources vary by count and whether on- and off-reserve residents are included). Research and community analysis indicate the reforms could substantially increase registered membership locally — internal estimates have suggested a possible 5–10% rise for Peguis by the end of 2026 — though results will depend on how many people apply and are approved.
The changes respond to long-running litigation (the Nicholas case) and historical policies that removed status from people who were ‘enfranchised’ — historically including those who joined the military, became members of the clergy, or obtained university degrees. Peguis leadership and federal officials say the aim is to restore status and associated rights and access to services for people affected by those past rules.
