First Nations Fiscal Management Act: Name Updates

Summary#

The federal government issued the Order Amending the Schedule to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (Miscellaneous Program) to update the names of seven First Nations listed in the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. The order was signed by Carolyn Bennett and came into force when it was registered on July 5, 2021 (published in the Canada Gazette on July 21, 2021).

What it does#

• Replaces outdated names in the schedule to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act so they match the official names in the Indian Registration System.
• The specific name updates are:
  • Hagwilget First Nation → Hagwilget First Nation Government
  • Malahat First Nation → Malahat Nation
  • Obashkaandagaang → Washagamis Bay
  • Ochiichagwe’babigo’ining Ojibway Nation → Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation
  • Sakimay First Nations → Zagimē Anishinabēk
  • Scowlitz → Sq’éwlets
  • Williams Lake → Williams Lake First Nation

Who's affected#

• The primary groups affected are the seven First Nations named above and their members.
• The Office of the Indian Registrar and the federal department now called Crown-Indigenous Relations are involved because the changes reflect the Indian Registration System and were made by the Minister.
• Other users of official federal lists — for example, government offices, legal advisers, or organizations that reference the Act’s schedule — may notice the new names in records and documents.

Why it matters#

• This is an administrative update that brings federal law into line with each First Nation’s official name in government records.
• Using the correct names helps avoid confusion in government records, contracts, funding documents, and legal or public communications.
• The Canada Gazette notice notes that updating statutes to reflect current First Nations’ names is a respectful step consistent with a nation-to-nation relationship and reconciliation.
• The notice also says the change does not impose costs on businesses and is intended for consistency and respectful recognition.