Unlike most First Nations across Canada, Westbank Lands are not governed under the Indian Act. Rather, Westbank Lands are governed under a modern comprehensive set of community laws. WFN has full jurisdictional control over Westbank Lands and resources.
WFN is governed under the Westbank Self Government Act; the WFN Self Government Agreement between WFN and the Government of Canada is dated October 3rd 2003; the use and development of Westbank Lands is subject to Part XI of the WFN Constitution (the "Land Rules").
Westbank Lands Region Location Map
The WFN Land Registry is a sub registry under the Self-Governing First Nations Land Registry held in Ottawa. It is a public registry that is password protected and can be accessed at no charge through the Helpdesk on the systems login page. Please click the INAC address below to start the process via email.
Part XI of the WFN Constitution - WFN Land Rules
Westbank Lands Register: http://pse5-esd5.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ILRS/
For the effective administration of the Land Rules, Westbank prescribed Forms for use in the registration of instruments dealing with or effecting Westbank Lands. The Westbank Lands Office pursuant to the Land Rules has a responsibility to register instruments which affect or purport to affect Westbank Lands.
Westbank Lands Register Fee Schedule (Updated June 6th, 2011) [pdf]
Form WFN-02 - General Instrument - Part 1 [pdf] [doc]
Form WFN-04 - Other Registerable Instruments - Part 1 [pdf] [doc]
Form WFN-05 - Executions Continued [pdf] [doc]
Form WFN-06 - Schedule [pdf] [doc]
Step 1 - Two fully executed copies of the documents are prepared with the correct Westbank Lands Office Form. Then submitted along with the appropriate registration fee to Westbank Lands Office. (WFN Land Rules s. 99.2(d), 99.5 and 111) Step 2 - The Westbank Lands Office will review the transaction and if acceptable approve to Form only. The documents are then scanned and forward by Electronic transmission to the Self-Government First Nation Lands Registry (SGFNLR) in Ottawa. An original is kept on file in Westbank Lands Office. (WFN Land Registry Regulation 11) Step 3 - The SGFNLR system will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt which provides the tracking number for the transaction. (WFN Land Registry Regulation 14) Step 4 - Confirmation of Registration will be provided upon completion of the Registrar’s review in Ottawa. The document will be considered to have been registered or recorded at the time indicated on the electronic acknowledgement of receipt. Priority will be in effect according to the time and date of registration. (WFN Land Registry Regulation 20(2)(a), 28(1))
Depending on the amount of transactions our office has received for processing, it typically takes 1-2 days for pending file to be “Received” and up to 5 days for the document to be “Registered” in Ottawa.
On November 5, 2007 the Westbank First Nation Land Registry Regulations came into force. The Westbank First Nation Land Registry Regulations are Federal regulations enacted under authority of the WFN Self Government Act.
Input into the drafting of the regulation was received from a number of sources, including the banking community and legal counsel with expertise in property transactions on-reserve.
WFN Land Registry Regulations work in conjunction with the Land Rules. In the event of a conflict, the Regulation will prevail with respect to the registration of interests in Westbank Lands.
Westbank Land Registry Office
Lynn Vanderburg WFN Director of Lands
Suite 201 - 515 Highway 97. South Kelowna, British Columbia Canada V4T 2H3
T 250 769 2444
F 250 769 2443
lvanderburg@wfn.ca