Concluding and Implementing Land Claim and Self-Government Agreements

Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells

Negotiation Type

Self-Government Agreement

Negotiation Parties

  • Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells, as represented by the Norman Wells Land Corporation (NWLC)
  • Government of Canada
  • Government of the Northwest Territories

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 Norman Wells. The Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells are represented by the Norman Wells Land Corporation. The Parties signed a Self-Government Framework Agreement in June 2007.

Negotiators for the Parties initialed an Agreement-in-Principle in August 2018.The Agreement-in-Principle was signed on January 16, 2019. Final Agreement negotiations are commencing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are the Sahtu Dene and Métis of the Norman Wells?
The Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells are beneficiaries of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement who are members of the NWLC.

2. Who are the parties involved in the negotiations? 
The parties are the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells, as represented by the Norman Wells Land Corporation, the GNWT, and the Government of Canada.

3. Why are the parties negotiating?
The parties are negotiating a self-government agreement pursuant to an obligation in the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. The parties are also negotiating to clarify and to provide certainty as to how the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells will implement their Aboriginal right to self-government.

4. What are the benefits of negotiating this self-government agreement?
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 negotiations process? Negotiators for the Parties initialed an Agreement-in-Principle in August 2018.The Agreement-in-Principle was signed on January 16, 2019. Final agreement negotiations are commencing.