Concluding and Implementing Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements

Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake

Negotiation Type

Self-Government Agreement

Negotiation Parties

  • Behdzi Ahda First Nation of Colville Lake
  • Ayoni Keh Land Corporation
  • Government of Canada
  • Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)

Overview

Chapter 5 and Appendix “B” of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (SDMCLCA) requires government to negotiate a self-government agreement with the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake. The Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake are represented by the Behdzi Ahda First Nation and the Ayoni Keh Land Corporation. Negotiators for the Behdzi Ahda First Nation and the Ayoni Keh Land Corporation, the GNWT and Canada signed the Dela Got’ine Self-Government Negotiations Process and Schedule Agreement (PSA) in Fall 2014. Negotiations towards concluding Module One of the Dehla Got’ine Self Government Agreement are underway.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake?

The Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake are participants of the SDMCLCA and represented by the Ayoni Keh Land Corporation.

2. Who are the parties involved in the negotiations?

The Behdzi Ahda First Nation and the Ayoni Keh Land Corporation, representing the interests of the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake, the GNWT and the Government of Canada.

3. Why are the parties negotiating?

The parties are negotiating to clarify how the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake will implement their Aboriginal right to self-government, pursuant to an obligation in Chapter 5 and Appendix B of the SDMCLCA.

4. What are the negotiations about?

Self-government will provide the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Colville Lake with the authority to make decisions at the community level, as appropriate to the unique circumstances of the Dehla Got’ine. The completed Self-Government Agreement will implement the Dela Got’ine of Colville Lake’s inherent right to self-government by describing the structure and powers of the Dela Got’ine government. Chapter 5 of the SDMCLCA states that, the objectives of self-government agreements shall be to describe the nature, character and extent of self-government, and the relationship between government and Sahtu institutions and to accommodate self-government within the framework of public government.

5. What stage are the negotiations at? What are the next steps in the negotiation process?

The parties have signed the Process and Schedule Agreement and negotiations of the Module One of the Dela Got’ine Self Government Agreement are underway.