Concluding and Implementing Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements

Northwest Territory Métis Nation

Negotiation Type

Land, Resources and Self-Government

Negotiation Parties

  • The Northwest Territory Métis Nation (formerly, the South Slave Métis Council) (NWTMN)
  • Government of Canada
  • Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)

Interim Measures Agreement Area

Overview

The South Slave Métis Framework Agreement, signed in 1996, sets out that negotiations will occur in two phases. In Phase One, the parties negotiated a Land and Resources Agreement-in-Principle. In Phase Two, the parties will address self-government and move toward a Final Agreement including finalizing land selection. On July 29, 2015 the NWTMN, the GNWT and the Government of Canada signed the NWTMN Agreement-In-Principle (AIP). Final Agreement negotiations are underway including the commencement of land selection negotiations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who are the Northwest Territory Métis Nation?
    The Northwest Territory Métis Nation (NWTMN) represents the indigenous Métis of the South Slave region. They are the Aboriginal descendants of the Cree, Slavey and/or Chipewyan people of the South Slave region. The home communities of the NWTMN are Hay River, Fort Resolution and Fort Smith.
     
  2. Who are the parties involved in the negotiations?
    The parties involved in the negotiations are the NWTMN (which represents the Fort Resolution Métis Council, the Hay River Métis Government Council and the Fort Smith Métis Council), the Government of Canada and the GNWT. 
     
  3. Why are the parties negotiating?
    The Métis of the South Slave region have been involved in negotiations since Dene/Métis negotiations. After the Dene/Métis claim was not ratified, the Akaitcho Dene First Nations initially decided to pursue a Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement, which the Métis of the South Slave region could not participate in. At that time, Canada and the GNWT agreed to enter into negotiations for a land and resources agreement with Métis of the South Slave region. The goal of these negotiations is to clarify and provide certainty for the Aboriginal rights of the Métis of the South Slave region.
     
  4. What are the negotiations about?
    The subjects for negotiations are outlined in the 1996 South Slave Métis Framework Agreement. These subjects include; eligibility; land and water; economic benefits; programs and services; implementation; dispute resolution; and amendment procedures.
     
  5. What stage are the negotiations at? What is the next step in the negotiation process?
    The parties have completed an Agreement-in-Principle on Land and Resources. The next step in the negotiation process is to complete negotiations for the Land and Resources Final Agreement.