By Shari Narine Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Contenders for national chief of the Assembly of First Nations are hitting back against Ottawa’s proposed work to define the Indian status of First Nation members. Last week, Indigenous Services Canada Minister Patty Hajdu announced the establishment of an Indigenous advisory process that would inform the upcoming collaborative process on second-generation cut-off. This process, she said, is the next step in the co-development of reforms to address status inequities that remain within the Indian Act. This work follows in the wake of Bill C-38, the latest amendments to the Indian Act. It was debated in parliament for second reading on Oct. 20. The Bill aims to remedy the inability of those with a family history of enfranchisement (their Indian status having been terminated)

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