First Nations Schedule Name Updates

Summary#

This order updates how certain First Nations are named in the schedules to the First Nations Land Management Act so the list matches the official names in the federal registration system. It updates the listings for 16 First Nations. The order was registered on March 18, 2021 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 31, 2021.

What it does#

• Updates names in Schedule 1 (and in parts of Schedule 2) of the First Nations Land Management Act so they match the names in the federal Indian registration records.
• Specific changes (by province) include:
  • Ontario (Schedule 1): replaces “Algonquins of Pikwakanagan”, “Scugog (also known as Mississaugas of Scugog Island)”, and “Whitefish Lake” with Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (reordered alphabetically).
  • Quebec (Schedule 1): replaces Montagnais du Lac St-Jean with Pekuakamiulnuatsch First Nation.
  • British Columbia (Schedule 1): replaces several older entries with Tsleil‑Waututh Nation, Haisla Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Lil'wat Nation, Nak'azdli Whut'en, Songhees Nation, ?Aq'am, and Stz'uminus First Nation (reordered alphabetically).
  • Saskatchewan (Schedule 1): replaces “George Gordon”, “Mistawasis”, and “One Arrow” with George Gordon First Nation, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, and One Arrow First Nation (reordered alphabetically).
  • Alberta (Schedule 1): replaces Tsuu T'ina with Tsuut'ina Nation.
  • Schedule 2 (Ontario): replaces “Scugog (also known as Mississaugas of Scugog Island)” and “Whitefish Lake” with Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.
  • Schedule 2 (British Columbia): replaces several entries with Tsleil‑Waututh Nation, Haisla Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Nak'azdli Whut'en, Songhees Nation, ?Aq'am, and Stz'uminus First Nation.
  • Schedule 2 (Saskatchewan): replaces “Mistawasis” and “One Arrow” with Mistawasis Nêhiyawak and One Arrow First Nation.
• The order takes effect on the day it was registered (March 18, 2021).

Who's affected#

• The main people affected are the 16 First Nations whose official names were updated in the schedules.
• Federal departments and agencies, legal offices, land managers, and others who use those schedules to identify First Nations may notice the name changes.
• For most members of the public and businesses, this is an administrative change and will have little to no direct effect.

Why it matters#

• The change brings the statute’s lists into line with the federal Indian Registration System. That reduces confusion about which First Nation a legal or administrative rule applies to.
• Using a First Nation’s current official name is a respectful recognition and supports clearer communication between governments and Indigenous communities.
• The government says there are no new costs or regulatory burdens from these name updates, so they do not affect small businesses or create added expenses.