Saskatchewan residents with an “R” on their health card who wish to have it removed can request a new card at no cost. Effective March 1st, eHealth Saskatchewan says the “R” display indicating “Registered Indian” will no longer be printed on Saskatchewan health cards.
Previously, an “R” was automatically printed on the health cards when an individual who was applying for a card, self-declared as a Registered Indian.
Saskatoon Tribal Council Tribal Chief Mark Arcand welcomes the measure.
“Making the decision to remove the “R” from Saskatchewan Health Cards by the Province of Saskatchewan is a great day for Indigenous people. 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 will still have the option to self-declare as Registered Indians when applying for a health services card, according to eHealth Saskatchewan, however, this will no longer be shown on the card.
The self-declaration will be for government programs that support First Nations peoples.
Options to request a new card can be found on the eHealth Saskatchewan website.