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How-To: Encourage Members to Join Your Nation on OneFeather

Updated
When your Nation subscribes to OneFeather's software and services, you're investing in tools designed to strengthen community connections and information sharing. 
The more members who join you OneFeather, the greater return you'll see on that investment. Your communication tools, document sharing, and digital services become significantly more effective when more community members can access them.
 

On this page:

Whys & Benefits

 

How-Tos

 

Whys & Benefits

Built for How Your Members Prefer to Connect

Your community members are digitally savvy, and we've designed our platform with that in mind. All OneFeather member services are optimized for mobile because we know that's how most people prefer to access their information and online services—whether they're at home, at work, or on the go. This means your members can participate in community governance from wherever life takes them.

 

Boost Voting Participation

For Nations using our digital voting feature, member sign-ups directly translate to higher election turnouts. Digital voting gives your members an additional way to participate in important community decisions from anywhere, making it easier for members who travel for work, live in remote areas, or have mobility challenges to have their voices heard. More registered members means more participation in your governance processes.

 

Reduce Administrative Burden

OneFeather's online status card renewal and replacement service lightens the workload for membership clerks. Members can complete their applications—including for dependents—from anywhere using our step-by-step online process. Our team reviews every application before submitting it digitally to Indigenous Services Canada, which improves approval rates and reduces back-and-forth for members. Our online process means less paperwork and more time for your staff to focus on other important Nation priorities.

 

Improve Document Access

Instead of printing, mailing, and tracking physical documents, members can securely access and download confidential Nation documents through their OneFeather account. This saves your Nation time as well as printing and postage costs while giving members instant access to important information. Members can view documents on their schedule, from any device, without waiting for the mail.

 

Enable Direct Communication

Due to CASL (Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation), email communications can only be sent to members who have signed up to join your Nation on OneFeather and have consented to receive them. Growing your OneFeather membership to active user base directly increases your ability to reach community members with important updates, announcements, and information.

 

One Central Hub for Members

Members access all OneFeather services through a single web portal at members.onefeather.ca—separate from your Nation's administrative tools. This gives them a dedicated space to vote, access documents, renew status cards, and receive communications, creating a seamless digital experience for your community.

 

Strengthen Your Digital Footprint

Every member who joins your Nation on OneFeather strengthens your digital infrastructure and improves your community's access to important services.
 
As a platform built by and for Indigenous communities, we continuously evolve based on the feedback and needs of the Nations and members we serve. We deeply value our Nation clients and encourage you to reach out with feedback, suggestions, or requests for features we don't currently offer—we're always receptive to hearing from you. Building products specifically for Indigenous peoples and around Nations' unique needs means your input directly shapes our development. 

It's an investment in more effective governance, better member services, and stronger community connections that grow alongside your community's needs.
 

How-Tos

The more community members who join you on OneFeather, the more effective your communication tools and other services become. Every new member signup increases your email reach, document access, voting participation, status cards renewed, and maximizes your OneFeather investment.

Members can access services from our dedicated members web portal at members.onefeather.ca. 
(Mobile app access coming soon in 2026!)

Below are some strategies for sharing that your Nation is now using OneFeather for important community services.

 

Social Media Content and Messaging

Having prepared messaging makes it easier to encourage members to join your Nation on OneFeather. Here are few approaches with clear calls-to-action:

Convenience messaging: "Let's connect our community - get Nation email updates instantly. Join us on  OneFeather at members.onefeather.ca to receive important community updates."

Participation-Focused: "Make your voice heard in Nation decisions from anywhere, anytime. Join us on OneFeather today at members.onefeather.ca and never miss a vote."

Service Highlights:

  • "Our Nation is using OneFeather for members-only document sharing - access important community documents 24/7 from any device. Join us on OneFeather at members.onefeather.ca"
  • "Our Nation is using OneFeather for status card services - skip the band office visit and renew or replace your status card online from home. Get started at members.onefeather.ca"
  • "Our Nation is using OneFeather to keep our community connected - get [Nation Name] news, documents, and services all in one secure place: members.onefeather.ca"

Community Connection: "Be part of our digital community. Connect with us on OneFeather at members.onefeather.ca and stay informed about what matters to you."

 

Website Integration

  • Add OneFeather web portal address and information prominently on your Nation's website (see more on what to include in Getting Started..."
  • Create a dedicated "Join Our Digital Community" page
  • Add OneFeather info to your existing member services section

 

Shareable Links & QR Codes for Easy Access

When using the document sharing tool, sharing capabilities are enabled and available for you to use. Once you publish a document of any kind (public or members-only), simply copy the share link or QR code to share anywhere your members like to access their Nation information.

  • QR codes can be downloaded and added to digital or printed voting or community materials.
  • Add links, QR codes to existing mailings, newsletters, and community notices
  • Share links on your socials

(Don't worry, for members-only documents, only confirmed Nation members will be able to access the document from the link.)

 

In-Person Events

  • Encourage members to join your community on OneFeather to access important services during announcements at community events
  • Offer assistance with the sign-up process, especially for members less comfortable with technology

 

Share by Word-of-Mouth

  • Ask current OneFeather members to help family and friends create an account
  • Encourage Nation staff to tell members that your community is now using OneFeather services and what is available to them
  • Designate a youth volunteer in community to help those who are less tech comfortable, such as elders,  to set up their OneFeather account or access online services (voting, status card applications, community documents).

 

Address Any Concerns Your Members May Have

We understand that trying something new can raise questions, and we want your members to feel confident about joining you on OneFeather. Here are the most common concerns we hear and how to answer them:

 

"How secure is OneFeather?"

Security is top priority at OneFeather. We protect personal and community information with multiple layers of security, including the latest in end-to-end data encryption (both in-transit and at rest), secure access controls, thorough user verification, and advanced threat detection. Data is stored on Canadian-based servers in Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario—ensuring compliance with Canadian privacy laws. As part of our deep commitment to Indigenous data sovereignty, OneFeather ensures that all data is managed in a way that respects Indigenous governance and control.

We also maintain SOC 2 certification through Prescient Security, which means we follow strict security standards and undergo regular independent security audits to ensure your data stays safe.

 

"Who owns my data and information?"

You and/or your Nation are the owners of any personal information or community data added to OneFeather. We will never share your information or data with outside vendors unless it's absolutely necessary for accessing the services you're using, and we will always inform you beforehand and ask for consent. 

We're strong believers in Indigenous data sovereignty, which means we're the stewards of contributed data, not owners.

If a member would like their OneFeather account to be deleted and personal data removed, please have them reach out to Customer Service for assistance.

 

"Is OneFeather difficult to sign up for or use?"

Not at all! Sign-up takes just a few minutes and works on any device with internet access. Here's what you'll need:

  • A personal email address*
    *Please note: Email addresses cannot be shared with multiple OneFeather accounts. Every individual over 16 years of age will need their own account for security purposes.
  • Access to your email to confirm your account
  • A few minutes to create a secure password

The process is straightforward: create your account, tell us your preferred name and Indigenous peoples group (so we can personalize your experience and show you relevant services), check your email for our confirmation message, click the link, and you're ready to go!

Learn more about Getting Started...

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