Blackfeet Nation uses Veritec’s 2D bar code biometric ID card for border control
03 October, 2007
category: Biometrics, Government
Veritec, Inc. announced the Blackfeet Nation of American Indians, has signed an agreement to use it’s 2-D VSCode™ biometric technology for multi-purpose cards which will serve as Tribal Member ID, border-crossing (to and from Alberta, Canada) control and passport-backup ID cards. The technology stores the individual’s fingerprint minutiae in the 2-D VSCode™, is robust, tamperproof, low cost and virtually eliminates identity-theft for those carrying the card.
Blackfeet Nation is First in the United States to Use Veritec’s 2D Bar Code Bio-ID Cards Technology for Border-Crossing Control
Golden Valley, MN – Van Tran, CEO of Veritec, Inc. announced the Blackfeet Nation of American Indians, headquartered in Browning, Mont., has signed an agreement to license and use Veritec’s 2-D VSCode™ Biometric technology for multi-purpose cards which will serve as Tribal Member ID, Border-crossing (to and from Alberta, Canada) control and Passport-backup ID cards. The technology stores the individual’s fingerprint minutiae in the 2-D VSCode™, is robust, tamperproof, low cost and virtually eliminates identity-theft for those carrying the card.
“The Blackfeet Nation’s 15,873 tribal members will be the first in the United States to be able to identify, without any doubt, their people are who they say they are”, said Ms. Tran. “The tribal leaders should be commended for their truly historic foresight to know they’re opening the door for what we believe to be the best counter-terrorism, identity-theft solution possible, and hopefully, other border tribes and states will follow suit soon.”
Ms. Tran’s comments were enthusiastically echoed by several tribal officials: Tribal Councilman Rodney Gervais stated, “We’re excited to be the first in the U.S. to embrace this new technology which will help us get a jump on overcoming immigration, customs and cross-border barriers on both sides of the border for our people.” Wanda Glaze, Tribal Enrollment Director, said, “The fact we’re the first in the nation is not only exciting, but also a testament to our desire to help our people take a big step regarding border issues, and set an example for the rest of country, on both borders.” Councilman Gervais stated several tribes and congressional people are looking at the Blackfeet model’s success in order to consider adoption on a “ripple effect” scale for American Indian border tribes and non-Indian governments, too.
Veritec, Inc.’s 2-D Bar Code technology storing biometric identification was recommended to the Blackfeet Nation by Washington, D.C.-based Lamar Associates, who provide solutions for law enforcement, security and emergency preparedness, had seen the technology and were impressed sufficiently to propose its use by the Blackfeet Nation. Walter Lamar, its President, stated, “The solution adopted by the Blackfeet Nation for a multi-purpose identification card is a great opportunity to demonstrate the tremendous versatility of the Veritec High Density 2-D Bar Code technology.”