Beausoleil First Nation Lands and Leasing
Mission Statement
The Beausoleil First Nation Lands Department is dedicated to the membership of Beausoleil First Nation, present and future. We will respect our lands and environment by assisting our members with all aspects to land. We will do so by providing the highest quality of service using the most effective lands management practices while maintaining and respecting the vision of our community.
Welcome to the Beausoleil First Nation Lands Management Office's web page! Please browse through our page to get the information you are interested in whether it be leasing or the Lands Program in general.
If you have any questions or you want to acquire more information feel free to contact our office during our regular business hours.
Lands News and Updates
Lands Newsletter - April 2012 - 1.31 MB
Lands Newsletter - January 2012 - 1,129 KB
Some History of Christian Island
Please don't get confused, the island goes by many names. The main one is Christian Island. However the name of the First Nation is Beausoleil. Some of the community members also refer to it as Chimnissing which in our Native Language means "Big Island".
We are situated 1.5 hours drive north of Toronto. We are located in the heart of Georgian Bay, just a short 20 minute ferry ride from the mainland.
We have it all! White, sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and a rich marine heritage that includes great shipwrecks! Gordon Lightfoot has personally enjoyed the beautiful scenery and waters of the area (so much so he has even written a song called "Christian Island").
The recorded history of Christian Island dates back to the Huron Indians and Jesuit ruins at St. Marie II, erected in the 1600s. The island is home to the Beausoleil First Nation people.
Lands Acquisition Policy and Dispute Policy
How does a Beausoleil First Nation Member acquire land?The Lands Acquisition Policy has been approved by Council on October 2, 2009.
This document will establish a fair and equitable process of acquiring land on our First Nation. For more information, please check out the links.
Please ensure you thoroughly read these documents and review the application forms, which are also attached.
Services
Some of the services the Lands Department assists with are;
- Wills & Estates;
- Lands Transactions;
- Leasing;
- Surveys;
- GIS;
- Species at Risk;
- Environmental Management;
- Forestry;
- Land Use Planning;
- Commissioning;
Lands Transactions
Our department can assist with your lands transactions, such as, Addition to Reserve; Land Allotments and/or Acquisition; Land Transfers; Transfer of Lawful Possession under a Will or Intestacy; etc…
Land Acquisition
The newest addition to BFN Lands Policies is the Land Acquisition Policy. This policy is to provide equitable procedures for community members to acquire, transfer, and exchange land from Beausoleil First Nation. Note: The applicant is encouraged to seek acquiring land privately prior to applying for Band Land.
Revised LAP Policy
Business Application
Development Application
Housing Application
Expropriate Application
Business Application
It is important to also note that this Land Acquisition Policy and its’ Applications will be amended from time to time. The Lands Department along with The Keepers’ of Our Sacred Lands Committee and Insight Planning have been working on a Dispute Resolution Policy. This policy has been completed for some time and we are presently awaiting the approval of the Chief and Council for implementation.
Land Transfers
Our department will assist in the transfer of a Certificate of Possession holder’s interest in land. Please note that we have a policy to follow when it comes to Transferring a Lawful Possession. In addition to this policy the Lands Department will require a written request to initiate a Land Transfer. The Transferor is also required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding prior to executing the documents.
If you require assistance with a Land Transfer please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Leasing
Since 1956, Christian Island has offered cottage leasing. There are 184 lots located on the northern side of the island, known as Big Sand Bay. Of these 184 lots there are only 29 vacant ones available for leasing. We also have a cottage subdivision on the southern part of the island known as the Lighthouse Point. All of those, 105 lots, are currently leased. We, in the Lands Department, also assist in the management of First Nation members leasing activities. For more information about “Locatee Leasing” or “Leasing” activities please contact our office.
Leasing News!
The Lands Department now accepts Debit and Major Credit Cards! Online Lease Payments are also available! Please be advised that lease payments can be made online through TD Bank and also at any TD Bank Branch. All you need is your account number (which is located on your Notice of Rent Payable). Look for or mention “Beausoleil First Nation - Lease Payments”.
BFN Leasing Policies
Beausoleil First Nation requires credit and criminal reference checks from all new or potential lessees. Credit checks will be initiated by the Lands Office.
Potential lessees must initiate a CPIC on their own, through their closest police detachment and provide to the Lands Office.
These checks must be included with all applications to lease, any renewals of leases or assignments of leases or when deemed appropriate to evaluate the applicants background. The information collected will be used for leasing purposes only. Applications, renewals and assignments of leases will not be considered or approved until receipt of both the credit check and criminal reference check by the Lands Office.
Building Permits
All Lessees are required to take out a building permit with the First Nation. This includes first time building, renovations, septic systems, driveways, etc.
We have been directed to amend the Listing of Contractors to allow only those contractors who have valid WSIB coverage as evidenced by a clearance certificate. We are encouraging all contractors to provide proof of coverage in order for their company names to be placed on the new Listing of Contractors. Further, you will have to provide proof of coverage each time you are contracted to do work for lessees. Failure to provide a Clearance Certificate will result in building permits not being approved.
Please take note that Mike Smith, Environmental Specialist will now be responsible for issuing and monitoring all building permits. Please contact him at 705-247-2051, extension 242.
Service Fees
All of the Lessees pay an annual service charge, which covers the following services:
- Fire Protection;
- Policing Services;
- Emergency Services;
- Roads Maintenance;
- Garbage Collection
Leasing Documents
Big Sand Bay map coming soon!
Fee Schedule Form 2010
Credit Check Consent Form
Insurance Requirements for Lessees.
Building Permit
Release of information Consent (for Police and Building Permits)
Consent to Release Individual Land Holdings Information
Any delinquent accounts are automatically referred to a collection agency for prompt retrieval.
Surveys
Occasionally the Lands Department receives extra funding to assist members with an Accredited Survey. An Application for Funding for Survey Requests can be picked up in the Lands Department. Please note that if you are making a request for a survey, the assistance is an advance, of sorts. The advance requires 100% payback from the applicant. This application is also used for Boundary Location. It is important to note that when an Individual Land Holder requests for a Boundary Location, our office requires the request to be in writing from all interested parties and includes applicable fees.
Land Use Planning
The Lands Team will be working on a Land Use Plan and Environmental Management Plan in the coming months. Please keep an eye out for workshops and information sessions.
This plan will assist with sustainable management and smoother planning capabilities for our community’s future. We are excited to get started with this endeavor and look forward to meeting with community members for their input.
Staff
Lands Manager
Jennifer Copegog is the Lands Manager and began her employment with the First Nation in 1987. At that time, she was hired on as the Band Secretary. In 1988, she was employed as a Lands Clerk. In 1992, Jennifer completed the necessary training through the Department of Indian Affairs Lands Management Training Program (LMPT). As a result of completing her training, she became a certified Lands Management Officer. Jennifer is also a Commissioner for Taking Oaths.
Jennifer has been instrumental in the development of a provincial Lands Association. In 1995, she and fellow colleagues set up the Ontario Aboriginal Lands Association (OALA), a networking group, to address the unique problems and concerns that affect Lands Management and to support and assist fellow Lands Managers, when needed.
As a result of Jennifer’s Train the Trainer course, she now teaches levels of the Lands Management Program to students across Canada.
Jennifer and her staff are resource people for the Keepers of Our Sacred Lands Committee.
Lands Administrative Assistant
Kristin has been with the Lands Department since April 2007. She is a graduate from Trent University. She has a Diploma in Native Studies and is working on attaining her B.A in Native Studies with an Emphasis in Indigenous Environmental Studies. With her academic background she will certainly remain to be an asset in our department. Kristin very much enjoys her time in the Lands Department. Every day is different and there are always new things to learn. She is eager to continue to meet with the community members, cottagers and fellow colleagues across Canada. Kristin recently finished her two year training program with a mark of excellence. She is now a Certified and Accredited Lands Manager. The Program was in partnership with the National Aboriginal Land Managers Association (NALMA), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) & the Indigenous Peoples Resource Management Program within the U of S.
Lands Finance Clerk
Jane Copegog-Marsden has been with the Lands department since October 2009. She was relieving Lands staff for holidays and meetings but has since been hired on as the Lands Finance Clerk.
Jane has a diploma from Cambrian College in Native Lands Management and she has years of experience in the Lands Department. Jane is primarily responsible for all billing matters pertaining to Leasing. All billing related questions can be forwarded to Jane. She can be reached at 705-247-2051, extension 254. We are certain that her skills and experience will be an asset to our department’s success. We look forward to having her in the office for years to come.
Jane is also a commissioner of taking oaths.
Environmental Specialist
Mike Smith has been with our department since August 2008. His focus is Species at Risk and Geographical Information Systems. Mike is working diligently on creating GIS mapping to assist in developing a Community Sustainability Plan.
Mike has proven to be a vital part of the Lands Team. He has completed a GIS program with Loyalist College and has recently began the Reserve Land Environmental Management Program with the University of Saskatchewan, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the National Aboriginal Lands Managers Association.
He continues his work with Species at Risk, monitoring the Forked Three Awned Grass, Mapping, Keepers of Our Sacred Lands, Forestry and assisting with plans for a Community Sustainability Planning.
Aboriginal Resource Technician
Beth Brass-Elson has been in this position since the start of summer. She has been assisting with carrying out the Forestry Plan for BFN.
Her and her team have been busy preparing fuel wood for the community members. They have also been assisting with hazard trees and harvesting.
If you require assistance with anything forestry related please do not hesitate to contact her at (705)247-2051 Ext 256.
Please note that if you are planning on doing any harvesting on your lands you are required to take out a harvesting permit. Please see the Lands and Forestry office for more information.
Feel free to drop in say hello to our team!
IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS
We are always looking for ideas or thoughts pertaining to the Lands Department. What would you like to see happen to improve the services or management of our lands? If you do have concerns it would be best to sign your name so we can get back to you with information or call you in for a friendly discussion on the issues you may be concerned about or like.
Miigwetch!
The Lands Department