Devolution is of particular interest to Aboriginal peoples in the Northwest Territories (NWT), who are among the most affected by land, water and resource development decisions. In addition, Aboriginal people are, or will be, major land owners in the territory through settled land claim and self-government agreements.

Aboriginal Government Participation

NWT Aboriginal governments have been active participants in devolution negotiations from the beginning. Since 2001, Aboriginal governments have received more than $8 million from the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to support their participation. The Dehcho First Nations have chosen not to participate or take funding for participation.

• 2000 Leaders from the NWT Aboriginal governments, GNWT and Government of Canada identify land and resources devolution as a priority at the first NWT Intergovernmental Forum.
• 2001 The Aboriginal Summit, GNWT and Government of Canada ratify a Memorandum of Intent, formally establishing their intention to negotiate the devolution of land and resources to the GNWT.
• 2002 First negotiations among the parties take place.
• 2004 The Aboriginal Summit, GNWT and Government of Canada sign a Framework Agreement establishing the scope of the negotiations.
• 2007 The GNWT and participating Aboriginal governments sign a draft Devolution Agreement-in-Principle (AiP). The agreement is not accepted by the Government of Canada. There is a break in the negotiations.
• 2010 Negotiations resume. Some Aboriginal governments that had signed the draft AiP now decline to participate.
• 2011 The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, NWT Métis Nation, GNWT and Government of Canada sign the Devolution Agreement-in-Principle (AiP). Final devolution agreement talks begin with the signatories to the AiP.
• 2012-2013 The Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Gwich’in Tribal Council and Tłı̨chǫ Government sign theDevolution Agreement-in-Principle and re-engage in negotiations.
• 2013 Final Agreement signed.
• 2014 The Devolution Agreement comes into effect on April 1.Acho Dene Koe First Nation, the Salt River First Nation and the Denínu Kų́ę́ First Nation sign the Devolution Agreement.
• First Intergovernmental Council Meeting takes place.
• 2015 Kátł’odeeche First Nation sign the Devolution Agreement

Current Devolution Signatories

• Government of the Northwest Territories
• Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
• Gwich’in Tribal Council
• Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
• Northwest Territory Métis Nation
• Tłı̨chǫ Government
• Acho Dene Koe First Nation and the Fort Liard Métis Local #67
• Salt River First Nation
• Denínu Kų́ę́ First Nation
• Kátł’odeeche First Nation

​A key feature of the Devolution Agreement is the establishment of an Intergovernmental Council to allow the public and Aboriginal governments to cooperate and collaborate on matters related to lands and resource management. To learn more about the Intergovernmental Council, please visit its website at http://www.igcnwt.ca/. 

Aboriginal Rights and Devolution

The GNWT is proud to have been part of the negotiation of successful land claims in the Inuvialuit, Gwich’in and Sahtu regions and to be a full party to the Tlicho Agreement, a combined land and self-government agreement. The GNWT continues to look forward to the successful conclusion of negotiations in other regions of the NWT.

The GNWT’s commitment to Aboriginal rights has extended to every aspect of devolution negotiations. There has been a place at the negotiation table for regional Aboriginal government representatives from the very start of negotiations, with funding to support their participation. Provisions recognizing and respecting treaty and Aboriginal rights, settled and future claims, and other Aboriginal interests can be found throughout the Devolution Agreement.

The Devolution Agreement explicitly states that it will not delay, impair or impede ongoing or future land claims or self-government negotiations and confirms that devolution will not affect already settled claims, as the Constitution of Canada protects these agreements. Devolution is about the GNWT taking on responsibility for managing public lands from the federal government. It cannot affect the authority Aboriginal governments have or will have over their settlement lands and resources.

Devolution also cannot settle questions of Aboriginal entitlement and self-government. Those issues are the subject of separate negotiations between Aboriginal governments and the Government of Canada, and in many cases have already been resolved through settled land claims and self-government agreements. The Devolution Agreement is entirely consistent and harmonious with these agreements. All modern NWT land claim agreements anticipate the transfer of public land, water and resources to the GNWT and state that nothing in them shall prejudice devolution or the transfer of these responsibilities.