Estates Program Overview
The Department of Indian Affairs no longer administers Estates because of the Canard Supreme Court decision. Prior to this decision the Department did not appoint non-departmental administrators.
After Alexander Canard died in an auto accident Mrs. Flora Canard applied to the Surrogate Court to administer the estate. The Court thought that she could administer his estate and issued Letters of Administration to authorize her to do so.
Lands Program Overview
Indian and Northern Affairs funds two programs, the Regional Lands Administration Programs (RLAP) and Membership, INAC no longer funds the Estates Program, however we do assist band members with settling family estates. At the present time, M’Chigeeng operates the land program under RLAP and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is working to facilitate greater responsibility and control by First Nations over their lands and governance systems. In 2002, INAC concluded an evaluation of the RLAP program and as a result of the 2002 evaluation a new and more comprehensive land and environmental management program was designed. The recommendations contributed to the development of a new Reserve and Environment Management Program (RLEMP).
