Negotiations and Agreements

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is committed to negotiating land, resource and self-government agreements in the Northwest Territories. INAC supports the implementation of existing land, resource and self-government agreements, as well as the on-going political development of the Northwest Territories. INAC also plays an important role on a range of other intergovernmental matters.

What is INAC doing to conclude agreements with Aboriginal groups and the Government of the Northwest Territories and to move the political development of the territory forward?

Through negotiation, INAC is working to settle outstanding land, resource and self-government claims, and to support the establishment of self-governing communities and regions in the Northwest Territories. The Department also supports governance capacity-building initiatives with its Aboriginal partners, advises on the political, social and economic development of the NWT, and provides administrative support for political development processes, including devolution negotiations.

Highlights

On August 25, 2003, representatives of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of Canada signed the Tlicho Agreement.   The Tlicho Agreement is the first combined land claim and self-government agreement of its kind in the Northwest Territories. The Agreement creates the largest single block of First Nation-owned land in Canada, and provides new systems of self-government for the Tlicho people. Through this agreement, the Tlicho now have the tools and law-making powers to protect and promote their culture and way of life. They are also able to make decisions related to the economic growth and the overall well-being of their communities.

What Information is Available?

In this section you will find information on current land, resource and self-government negotiations in the Northwest Territories, as well as existing agreements and how they are being implemented.

As well, you can access the NWT PlainTalk: On Land and Self-Government and Plain Facts on Land and Self Government publications for more information on the various NWT land and governance negotiation processes and milestones.  

You will also find information on the status of the Northwest Territories' devolution negotiations, as the transfer of province-like responsibilities to the NWT has been a long-standing objective for Canada.

You may also be interested in:

• Treaties and Aboriginal Government