Northwest Territories

Métis Health Benefits Program

Easy application

Tax filing not required

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) sponsors the Métis Health Benefits Program to provide eligible Indigenous Métis residents of the Northwest Territories access to a range of benefits not covered by hospital and medical care insurance.

Through this program, NWT residents receive coverage for eligible prescription drugs, dental services, vision care, medical supplies and equipment. You also receive benefits related to medical travel such as meals, accommodation and ambulance services.

To qualify for this program, you must:

  • Be a permanent resident of the Northwest Territories (NWT)
  • Have a valid NWT Health Care Card
  • Indicate self-identification as Métis
  • Declare you are not registered under the Indian Act (commonly referred to as ‘status Indian’) or an Inuk recognized by an Inuit land claim organization
  • Provide a letter from one of the Indigenous governments or Indigenous organizations listed below confirming you are a member of one of the following Indigenous government or Indigenous organization whose members hold or assert to hold Aboriginal rights in the Northwest Territories as affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982:
    • Dehcho First Nations as the regional government representing the Fort Providence Métis Council and Fort Simpson Métis Local #52
    • Gwich’in Tribal Council
    • Northwest Territory Métis Nation as the regional government representing the Fort Resolution Métis Government, Fort Smith Métis Council and Hay River Métis Government Council
    • North Slave Métis Alliance
    • Sahtú Secretariat Incorporated
    • Tłıc̨hǫ Government

Health card

For example:

  • valid health card with no photo, name and address
  • valid health card with photo, name and address
  • MCP (Medical Care Plan) number
  • Valid ambulance/dental services card
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour identification number
  • Department of Immigration, Skills and Labour file number (Income Support Card).

Letter from one of the Indigenous governments or Indigenous organizations listed above confirming you are a member of one of the listed Indigenous government or Indigenous organization whose members hold or asserts to hold Aboriginal rights in the Northwest Territories as affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

To apply:

For more information, call: 1-800-661-0830.

Last updated: August 6, 2021