Concluding and Implementing Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements

Inuvialuit

Current Negotiation Type

Self-Government Agreement

Existing Agreements

The Western Arctic Claim – The Inuvialuit Final Agreement

Negotiation Parties

  • Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
  • Government of Canada
  • Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)

Map of the Settlement Region

Overview

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC), the GNWT and Canada signed an Agreement-in-Principle on July 21, 2015 in Inuvik and have begun Final Agreement negotiations. The Agreement-in-Principle sets out the basic structure of an Inuvialuit Government, describes its law making powers and other authorities, addresses intergovernmental arrangements and sets out implementation and financial principles. The self-government agreement will not be a treaty within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Negotiations to complete an Implementation Plan are underway at the Implementation Working Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the Inuvialuit?
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation was established to manage Inuvialuit affairs outlined in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. The corporation represents Inuvialuit beneficiaries and has community corporations in each Inuvialuit community - Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, and Ulukhaktok.

2. Who are the parties involved in the negotiations? 
The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC), the GNWT and Canada are negotiating this self-government agreement.

3. Why are the parties negotiating?
The parties are negotiating to implement the Inuvialuit inherent right to self-government.

4. What are the negotiations about?
Self-government will provide the Inuvialuit with the ability to make decisions at the regional level. The completed Final Self-Government Agreement is expected to implement the Aboriginal party’s inherent right to self-government by describing the structure and powers of its government.

5. What stage are the negotiations at? What is the next step in the negotiation process?
An Agreement-in-Principle has been signed and negotiations are underway on a Final Agreement. The parties are working on an Implementation Plan at the same time as Final Agreement negotiations.

Annual Reports