Concluding and Implementing Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements

Gwich'in (Regional)

Negotation Type

Self-Government Agreement

Existing Agreements

  • Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim (1992)
  • Gwich’in Self-Government Negotiations Process and Schedule Agreement (2007)
  • Gwich’in Self-Government Negotiations Amending Agreement to the Process and Schedule Agreement (2019)

Negotiation Parties

  • Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council (Aklavik), the Gwichya Gwich’in Council (Tsiigehtchic), the Tetl’it Gwich’in Council (Fort McPherson) represented by the Gwich’in Tribal Council 
  • Government of Canada
  • Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)

Map of the Settlement Area

Overview

On April 22, 1992, the Gwich’in Tribal Council and the Government of Canada signed the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA) and the accompanying Implementation Plan. Chapter 5 of the GCLCA provides that Government and the Gwich’in can negotiate self-government agreements appropriate to the unique circumstances of the Gwich’in and in conformity with the Constitution of Canada. A self-government agreement would be brought into effect through federal and territorial legislation. The GNWT, the Government of Canada and the Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council (Aklavik), the Gwichya Gwich’in Council (Tsiigehtchic), the Tetl’it Gwich’in Council (Fort McPherson) as represented by the Gwich’in Tribal Council are currently negotiating a Collaborative, Community-Based Gwich’in Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Gwich’in?

The Gwich’in have traditionally used and occupied lands in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon from time immemorial. The Gwich’in Tribal Council represents Dene people indigenous to the Gwich’in Settlement Area, including the following designated Gwich’in organizations: Gwichya Gwich'in Council (Tsiigehtchic), Tetl’it Gwich'in Council (Fort McPherson), Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council (Aklavik), and Nihtat Gwich'in Council (Inuvik).

Who are the parties involved in the negotiations? 

Representatives from the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council (Aklavik), the Gwichya Gwich’in Council (Tsiigehtchic) and the Tetl’it Gwich’in Council (Fort McPherson) are negotiating a Collaborative, Community-Based Gwich’in Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle with the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories. 

In September 2019, the Parties signed the Gwich’in Self-Government Negotiations Amending Agreement to the Process and Schedule Agreement, which removed the Nihtat Gwich’in (Inuvik) as a Party to the Regional Gwich’in Self-Government negotiation process. 

Why are the parties negotiating?

Chapter 5 of the Gwich’in Agreement provides that Government and the Gwich’in can negotiate self-government agreements appropriate to the unique circumstances of the Gwich’in and in conformity with the Constitution of Canada. The parties are also negotiating to implement the Gwich’in inherent right to self-government.

What are the negotiations about?

Self-government will provide the Gwich’in with the ability to make decisions on matters internal and integral to the Gwich’in. The completed Final Self-Government Agreement is expected to implement the Gwich’in’s inherent right to self-government by describing the structure and powers of its government.

What stage are the negotiations at? What is the next step in the negotiation process?

Parties are nearing completion of the Regional Gwich’in Government Agreement-in-Principle (AIP). Following this, the next step will be the Parties internal review of the AIP.