Land Claims

In general, there are two types of land claims that may direct oil and gas development in Canada: comprehensive claims and specific claims.

Comprehensive claims always involve land, but specific claims are not necessarily land-related. These claims arise in areas of Canada where Aboriginal land rights have not been dealt with by past treaties or through other legal means.

Land and self-government negotiations in the NWT usually involve three groups: the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and one or more Indigenous government organization. Each negotiation is unique and reflects the needs and processes of the parties at the negotiation table.

Comprehensive Land Claims

Comprehensive Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements

Treaty Land Entitlement Processes

Community Self-Government Agreement

Current Negotiations

Aboriginal rights negotiations are underway in all regions of the NWT as Aboriginal governments seek to confirm their Aboriginal and treaty rights in the NWT. The GNWT, as a full partner to these negotiations, continues to promote workable and affordable agreements that respect Aboriginal rights. The GNWT is presently engaged in the following sets of negotiations:

Transboundary Negotiations

  1. Ghotlenene K’odtineh Dene (formerly Manitoba Dënesuliné)

  2. First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun

Self-Government Agreements

  1. Gwich'in

  2. Inuvialuit

  3. Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake

  4. Sahtu Dene and Métis of Fort Good Hope

  5. Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells

  6. Sahtu Dene and Métis of Tulita

Land, Resources and Self-Government Agreements 

1.    Acho Dene Koe First Nation

2.    Akaitcho Dene First Nations

3.    Dehcho First Nations

4.    Northwest Territory Métis Nation

Settlement Areas and Asserted Territories

This map shows settlement areas and asserted territories in the NWT. This is useful for engagement and consultation purposes.