Aboriginal Lands - First Nations Lands Survey Programs

The Surveyor General collaborates with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and First Nations in the management of surveys of First Nation Lands that operate under the Indian Act and the First Nations Land Management Act. 

Pursuant to section 25 of the Canada Lands Surveys Act, Natural Resources Canada shall cause surveys to be made of Canada Lands on the request of a minister of any department of the Government of Canada.  The Lands Branch, Lands and Economic Development Sector, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development have a long standing collaboration relationship with the Surveyor General Branch for the implementation of Canada’s obligations regarding land surveys to support land management activities on First Nation Lands.

The Surveyor General Branch provides advice on boundary issues, contracts for survey services and cadastral mapping projects with Canada Lands Surveyors, monitors contracts, prepares legal descriptions of the lands, and maintains an official registry of all survey records to support land transactions on First Nation Lands.