Status Card Rates Starting July 1 2022.pdf

Certificate of Indian Status (CIS)
For registered Adams Lake members, the department will provide a Certificate of Indian Status (CIS), a wallet-sized card verifying the holder is a registered Indian with Aboriginal Affairs.
Required Documents
• Recent photo 2cm wide x 3cm high not a passport photo
(photos with hats/headgear, sunglasses, dark-tinted glasses, or bandanas will not be accepted)
• Bring two pieces of ID (birth certificate, BCID etc.)
• Bring your “old” status card with you when you renew your card.
Adult status cards are valid for five years from the date of issue; for minors under 18, cards are valid for three years.
Fees
There is no fee for Adams Lake members to receive their cards. For non-members, there is a $20 charge.

Application for CIS
Lost or Stolen (CIS) Declaration Form

Secured Certificate of Indian Status (New Status Card)

Why do First Nations need a new card?
The Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) includes several security improvements to help protect First Nations individuals from identity theft while providing them with access to benefits and services. The existing Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) is either a paper-laminate or plastic card with very few of the security features now normally expected of a government issued identity document that provides access to benefits and services. This makes the card open to tampering and counterfeiting. A project was initiated to address the need for increased security features on Status cards to reduce the risks of identity theft and forgery. This also helps to ensure the ongoing integrity of programs and services.

How is the new Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) secure?
The new SCIS features several security improvements such as:
• Laser engraving which burns information directly into the card.
• Touch data that uses raised letters and numbers on the card surface.
• Patterns of extremely fine lines that cannot easily be scanned or copied.
• An ultra-violet image and printing that is visible using specialized equipment; and
• A window, appearing as a clear area in the card that allows a secondary photo image of the cardholder to be visible from both sides.

To Register Individuals 15 years of age and under or Dependent Adult, you will need to:
Please be advised that INAC has issued a new registration form, APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION ON THE INDIAN REGISTER AND FOR THE SECURE CERTIFICATE OF INDIAN STATUS (SCIS) (FOR CHILDREN 15 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER OR DEPENDENT ADULTS)
These applications are now standard for registering a minor. This application also includes registering Bill C-3 and Bill S-3 applicants.
If you have recently (within the past 3 months) registered your baby with the old Parental Consent form, we will be contacting you to come in and complete the new form. If you do not have updated contact info on file, please call us to confirm your child’s registration application to avoid further delay.
Registration package includes:
• Completed Registration application (4 pages) with both parent’s signatures
• Original long form birth certificate (With both parent’s names listed)
• Supporting documents – custody or guardianship court documents (if applicable)
• Adoption Order (if applicable)
If opting to also apply for the child’s SCIS then you need:
• Completed Guarantor form (1 page)
• 2 passport pictures of child – One picture signed by the Guarantor
• Parent(s) – copy of valid picture ID and second piece of valid ID – Copies verified by signature by the Guarantor
To Register individuals 16 years of age and older, you will need to:
• Completed INAC FORM 83-130E
• Original birth certificate (long or short form); AND
• Two passport style photographs; AND
• valid identification; AND
• Completed INAC FORM 83-111E (if applying by mail); AND
• If you have taken your spouses last name – you will need:
• Copy of marriage certificate(s) (if you have valid ID in married name, OR
• Original government issued marriage certificate(s) (if you do not have valid ID in married name); OR
• Legal change of name document
Allowable Forms of ID:
PRIMARY ID:
• Canadian Passport
• CIS Issued after April 2002
SECONDARY ID:
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage or Divorce Certificate
• Provincial Health Card
• Provincial ID Card
• Driver’s License
• Employee ID with digitized photo
• Student ID with digitized photo
• Firearms license
• Expired CIS Card
Restrictions on ID Types Provided:
• Only original documents are accepted- no photocopies are allowed.
• Social Insurance (SIN) Cards are not acceptable.
• ID must be intact and not expired.
• If you are submitting a Guarantor’s Form, you must supply the original form (not a faxed or photocopied version) and the signature of the Guarantor must appear on the applicant’s photograph.

SCIS Photo App Step by Step
FAQs Regarding Secure Certificate of Indian Status 2021
Announce SCIS Photo App
Already Registered SCIS Application
Registration & SCIS Application 15 –
Registration & SCIS Application 16+
SCIS Guarantor Declaration Form

Land Estates: Provide assistance to ALIB members when settling an estate where ALIB land is involved. Assist with the required documentation to transfer Band land and provide wills and estate information to assist Band members who choose to write their own will.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is responsible for estate services for First Nations in all provinces. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) is responsible for estate services for First Nations in the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

What is an estate?
An estate is all the property and personal possessions of a person. The estate of a person who has died may include:
• cash
• bonds and investments
• work benefits.
• earnings
• pensions
• proceeds from legal actions
• insurance settlements or other settlement monies
• personal effects, like jewelry
• personal property, like vehicles and bank accounts
• lands and buildings owned both on and off-reserve.

The estate of a living minor or dependent adult may include:
• cash and bank accounts.
• bonds and investments
• earnings
• pension
• tax and disability benefits.
• personal effects, like jewelry
• personal property, like vehicles and bank accounts
• lands and buildings owned both on and off-reserve.
• insurance settlements or other settlement monies

An estate does not generally include lands or buildings owned by a First Nation or any jointly held assets if one of the holders is still alive, for example:
• joint bank accounts
• joint bonds and investments
• joint tenancy of property

Please email Estate Services at aadnc.estates-successions.aandc@canada.ca.

To help determine who should look after the estate, we will ask you a few questions:

• Did your family member or friend live on a reserve?
• Did your family member or friend have a Secure Certificate of Indian Status?
• Did your family member or friend have a will?
• Who are their family members?
• Is there a death certificate? A document that shows proof of death is needed to begin settling the estate.

If ISC or CIRNAC is looking after the estate, you will be provided with the forms needed to appoint someone to settle the estate.

If a First Nations person was living off a reserve at the time of death, the estate is the responsibility of the province, territory, or country where they lived.

After Death Checklist.pdf

Under the Indian Act, ISC or CIRNAC is only involved with estates for people “ordinarily resident” on a reserve.

“Ordinarily resident” on a reserve means that an eligible First Nations person usually lives on a reserve and does not maintain a primary residence off a reserve. They may, however, temporarily live off a reserve for education purposes or to obtain care or services not available on a reserve.

How are estates of people who have died on a reserve managed? 
ISC or CIRNAC is required under sections 42 to 50(1) of the Indian Act to manage the estates of people who were, or could have been, registered under the act and usually lived on a reserve. If you think the person who has died could have been entitled to registration under the act, contact Public enquiries.

Estate administration is a private family matter and ISC encourages family members or their nominees to manage the estates of those who have died.

As part of estate services, ISC or CIRNAC:

• appoints estate executors or administrators
• approves wills so they can take effect.
• transfers reserve lands from the estate to the beneficiaries or the heirs
• determines the heirs if a person dies without a will.
• serves as administrator if no one is willing or able to settle the estate.
• if serving as administrator, distributes estate assets according to the will or the provisions of the Indian Act when there is no will.

If the estate cannot cover funeral expenses, contact Estate Services at aadnc.estates-successions.aandc@canada.ca.

To find out more about wills, visit Why is it important to have a will.

Estate Adminstration ON-Reserve.pdf
Off Reserve Checklist.pdf
Settling a Family Members Estate.pdf
Writing your own will.pdf
Last Will Template.pdf

How are estates of minors and dependent adults who live on a reserve managed? 

Under section 52 of the Indian Act, ISC or CIRNAC may help manage the estates of minors registered under the act who usually live on a reserve, including:

• minors who are entitled to be registered under the act.
• minors whose names are on a First Nation membership list or could be added to a First Nation membership list.
• minors whose parents are registered under the act.

Under section 51 of the Indian Act, ISC or CIRNAC is required to manage the estates of people who currently cannot manage their financial or legal affairs and usually live on a reserve, including:

• those who are registered under the act.
• those who are entitled to be registered under the act.
• those whose names are on a First Nation membership list or could be added to a First Nation membership list.

Family members are encouraged to manage the estates of minors or dependent adults.

Who is a minor?

A minor is someone who is under the age of majority in the province, territory or country where they live. For example, in Quebec a minor is anyone 17 or younger, while in British Columbia a minor is anyone 18 or younger.

A minor can have an estate, such as property or possessions. Usually, a parent or guardian is responsible for the management of the estate because the minor is not of legal age to do so.

ISC or CIRNAC can help only help manage the estates of minors in rare circumstances.

ISC or CIRNAC’s ability to help manage the estate of a minor is outlined in section 52 of the Indian Act and is considered discretionary. This means that ISC or CIRNAC only steps in when necessary, such as when the parent or guardian is unable to manage the estate or upon request.

ISC or CIRNAC’s goal when helping to manage the estates of minors is to do what is in the best interests of the minor.

The accounts ISC or CIRNAC creates to manage the estates of minors are known as individual trust accounts.

Who is a dependent adult?

A dependent adult is someone who cannot currently manage their financial or legal affairs. This could include people with dementia or other medical conditions that affect their mental capacity.

ISC or CIRNAC can only help manage the estate once the adult has been officially diagnosed as incapable of managing their own financial or legal affairs.

Diagnosis must be done by a provincial or territorial authority, such as:

• a doctor or other certified health professional
• a capacity assessor employed by the province, territory or country in which the adult lives.
• a court of law

The person appointed as administrator of property for a dependent adult can only help with managing personal property and effects, such as money, lands, and debts.

Authority for decisions relating to personal care is the responsibility of the province, territory, or country where the dependent adult lives.

To find out about services available in your province or territory, contact:

• British Columbia: Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia

Power of Attorney Booklet.pdf

An estate can be managed by an executor or an administrator.

A living minor or dependent adult can also have an administrator for their estate.

Executor
When a person makes a will, they name someone or a group, such as a law firm or a bank, to be responsible for managing the estate once they have died. That person or group is known as the executor.

The executor manages all the financial and legal matters of the estate and ensures that the will is carried out.

Administrator
If a person living on a reserve dies without a will or does not name an executor in their will, ISC or CIRNAC will appoint someone to manage the estate. The appointed person is known as the administrator and has the same duties as an executor.

If no one is willing or able to manage the estate, ISC or CIRNAC will act as the administrator.

If you have been appointed as an administrator or executor, visit Some good practices of an administrator.

Guide for Executors and Adminstrators IN BC.pdf

What does an executor or administrator do?

The executor or administrator is responsible for managing all the financial and legal matters of the estate and is accountable to the beneficiaries named in the will or to the heirs.
The duties differ depending on whether:

• the estate is for someone who has died.

or

• The estate is for a living minor or dependent adult.

The duties of an executor or administrator for the estate of someone who has died include:

• identifying and protecting the estate property and belongings
• claiming work benefits
• providing a full report to the beneficiaries or heirs on what has been done.
• paying the estate debts, including funeral expenses
• filing tax returns
• distributing the estate assets according to:
  • the will

or

• • the provisions of the Indian Act when there is no will.

The duties of an administrator for the estate of someone who is living include:

• identifying and protecting the estate property and belongings
• purchasing necessities for the minor or dependent adult and providing an allowance as required
• consulting with the person responsible for looking after the everyday wellbeing of the minor or dependent adult.
• paying bills
• settling debts
• making arrangements for the person’s business
• looking after any pension or benefit concerns
• filing tax returns
• providing a full report regarding what has been done each year upon request from:
  • a member of the family
  • the minor
  • the dependent adult
  • the guardian of the minor or dependent adult
  • ISC or CIRNAC

ISC or CIRNAC will:

• review and address concerns and complaints about the management of the estate.
• review the management of the estate upon request from the family.

To find out more about the duties of an executor or administrator and how to properly manage an estate, visit What does an administrator do once appointed.

Guide for Executors and Adminstrators IN BC.pdf
Estate Aministrator-Executor Checklist.pdf