Concluding and Implementing Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements

Athabasca Dënesuliné

Negotiation Type

Transboundary Negotiation

Negotiation Parties

  • Athabasca Dënesuliné (Saskatchewan)

  • Government of Canada

  • Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)

Athabasca Dënesuliné Interim Measures Agreement Area

Overview 

Canada is currently negotiating with the Athabasca Dënesuliné to find an out of court resolution to litigation initiated by the Athabasca Dënesuliné following the ratification of the Nunavut Final Agreement. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the Manitoba and Athabasca Dënesuliné?

The Manitoba and Athabasca Dënesuliné are a Dene people of Chipewyan ancestry living in Northern Saskatchewan and Northern Manitoba. There are 4,500 Dënesuliné currently living in five communities located in Northern Saskatchewan (Fond-du-Lac, Black Lake, and Hatchet Lake) and in Northern Manitoba (Lac Brochet and Tadoule Lake).

2. Who are the parties involved in the negotiations?

The parties involved in negotiations are the Manitoba and Athabasca Dënesuliné, the Government of Canada and the GNWT.

3. Why are the parties negotiating?

These negotiations stemmed from the 1991 Benoanie court case in Saskatchewan and the 1993 Samuel/Thorassie court case in Manitoba. The parties are negotiating Final Agreements to clarify and to provide certainty with respect to Athabasca Dënesuliné harvesting rights and to Manitoba Denesuline land and harvesting rights in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

4. What are the negotiations about?

These negotiations centre on Dënesuliné harvesting rights north of 60. The area, in which the Manitoba and Athabasca Dënesuliné assert harvesting rights in the NWT, is in the south eastern corner of the NWT. 

5. What stage are the negotiations at?

The Parties are pursuing discussions that would result in Final Agreements.