Land Registration

Program:

• To maintain a land register pursuant to the Indian Act requirements.
• To examine, register and maintain documents (leases, allotments, designations, orders in council, etc.,) relating to interest in Indian lands.
• To provide service to First Nations, regions and districts in making available copies of abstracted records and documents, both manual and computerized.

Program History / Background:

The Indian Act requires the Department to maintain a land register for Indian lands. Prior to 1967, transactions/documents affecting reserve lands were kept in departmental files. In 1967, a registration system modelled similarly to a provincial deeds registry was established. Like a provincial deeds registry, this newly established registry did little more than take notice of claims. Over the years the Indian Lands registry has evolved to include a more comprehensive check of the documents received, and the abstracts/records, to determine if established criteria has been met.

Description of Operations:

The Indian Lands Registry is maintained in Ottawa. All regional offices, several district offices and approximately 30 First Nations are presently accessing the computerized registry records on a daily basis.

Headquarters registry staff perform the following tasks:

• Examine, register and maintain documents concerning Indian lands.
• Maintain originals and the official, legal record for all documents relating to legal interests in Indian lands.
• Respond to user inquiries by searching for and releasing information on Indian lands.
• Distribute copies of abstracted records and documents to regional, district and First Nation offices.
• Provide access and training for the Indian Lands Registry System (ILRS) to regional, district and First Nation offices.
• Operate computerized database of records.
• Operate on a 48 hour turn around time for the registration of documents.
• Convert data into automated format. Automation facilitates access to information and speeds up the registration process.
• Maintain and update the Indian Lands Registration Manual which outlines the policies, procedures and requirements for registration of documents.

Regional staff perform the following tasks:

• Enters the document particulars into the ILRS before submitting document to the Indian Lands Registry.
• In conjunction with the Indian Lands Registry, provide access and training, for the ILRS to regional, district and First Nation offices.

"Indian Lands Registration Manual - 2006"