Joel wanted to cast a wider net for roles and try to get work in the United States. But first, he needed to get a social security number. Follow Joel's journey over the border to get his SSN!

The Jay Treaty allows Indigenous Peoples in Canada to travel freely across the border to work, live, or study. The idea sounds easy but it was pretty challenging to find the right information and get the right documents. Hopefully Joel's experience will help you navigate the system if you're an Indigenous actor in the same boat! This information is not legal advice.

What Joel needed:

1. Signed letter from his band
2. Long form birth certificate
3. Treaty card
4. Other ID (driver's license or passport)

More info:

• USCIS Green Card for an American Indian Born in Canada (you don't need a green card to get an SSN but some useful information)
• Canadian-born Native Americans: Work or Green Card?
• Border Crossing Rights Under the Jay Treaty (this is an old post but still useful)

Actors and Ancestors is created, hosted, and produced by Joel D. Montgrand. Audio editing and production support by Daniella Barreto.

Music Credit at 01:41

Track: "Endless Summers"

Music provided by https://slip.stream

Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/K665Z0

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