Frequently Asked Questions about the Tlicho Agreement

A. The Tlicho Agreement was negotiated by the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), and the Government of Canada. It is the first combined land claims and self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories. The Agreement provides certain rights and benefits respecting land and resources for the Tlicho and self-government to Tlicho Citizens. It provides certainty for all parties with respect to ownership and management of lands and resources and exercise of their governmental powers and authorities.

A. The traditional use area of the Tlicho is called "Monfwi Gogha De Niitlee". In this area, the Tlicho will be able to exercise most of the rights set out in the Agreement. All four of the Tlicho communities fall within this area.

"Wekeezhii" is the area within which the two new resources management bodies - the Wekeezhii Renewable Resource Board and the Wekeezhii Land and Water Board will exercise their powers. It falls mostly within Monfwi Gogha De Niitlee and is bordered by land claims settlement areas and traditional areas of neighbouring Aboriginal groups.

The lands the Tlicho will own in fee simple will be called "Tlicho lands" and are entirely within Wekeezhi.

A third area dealt with in the Agreement is "Ezodziti", an area of historical and cultural importance to the Tlicho. The Tlicho will not own this land, nor will they have any additional harvesting or management rights here. However, the area has been protected from the creation of private interests.

A. Each party has its own particular process for ratification. All three processes must be seen through for the Agreement to come into effect.

A. Federal settlement legislation now needs to be enacted and brought into force to give effect to the Agreement. Once Parliament has passed this legislation, the Governor in Council will set the date for its coming into force.

Q. What rights and benefits related to land, resources and self-government will the Tlicho receive under the Tlicho Agreement?

A. The Tlicho will receive approximately 39,000 square kilometres of land in a single block surrounding but not including, the four Tlicho communities of Behchoko (Rae-Edzo), Whati, Gameti (Rae Lakes) and Wekweeti. On their lands, the Tlicho will own both the surface and mineral (subsurface) resources.

In addition to Tlicho lands, the Tlicho will receive a share of resource royalties from development in the Mackenzie Valley.

Under the Agreement's self-government provisions, a Tlicho Government will be able to make laws over a wide range of areas, primarily over Tlicho lands and Tlicho Citizens, and will be actively involved in resource management in Wekeezhii.

Q. In general terms, how will the Tlicho benefit from the Tlicho Agreement?

A. Through the Tlicho Agreement, the Tlicho will gain additional tools and resources to strengthen their economy, and a greater ability to protect and promote Tlicho culture, language, heritage, lands and resources. It is expected that the Tlicho Agreement will create a climate that will encourage economic investment and partnerships. The Agreement also paves the way for new jobs and educational opportunities.

Under the Agreement's self-government provisions, the Tlicho will acquire new governance arrangements and powers. They will be able to make decisions in many subject areas directly related to the well being of Tlicho persons and culture.

The Tlicho Government will also be able to design and manage programs through agreements with the territorial and federal governments that respect and promote the Tlicho way of life.

The Agreement also guarantees Tlicho representation in new Tlicho community public governments to ensure their interests and culture are reflected.

Q. What benefits to Canada and the Northwest Territories are expected as a result of the Tlicho Agreement?

A. The Tlicho Agreement will provide greater certainty and clarity about ownership and management of land and resources. This will create a much more predictable decision-making environment with the potential to attract investment and economic growth.

The Agreement will also provide the Tlicho with the opportunity to enhance their participation in the economy of the region and the territory as a whole, and to become more self-reliant. For example, through the land, resources and financial benefits they receive from the Agreement, the Tlicho will be in a better position to undertake new business ventures or partnerships with industry. Other residents may also benefit from the Tlicho Agreement (e.g., as new economic development initiatives get underway, jobs and other opportunities will likely be created).

A. The Tlicho Agreement is the first combined land claims and self-government agreement in the territories. Another unique feature is that the Tlicho will own a single block of land including subsurface minerals throughout the block. As well, Tlicho lands will surround or be adjacent to but not include community lands. In other land claim settlements, lands were selected in various parcels throughout the settlement area, including within the communities.

Finally, the Tlicho Agreement applies a new approach to achieving certainty with respect to the use and ownership of land and resources, and to self-government rights. The Tlicho have agreed that they will not assert or exercise any land rights other than those set out in the Tlicho Agreement. The Tlicho may approach the government for recognition of additional governance or cultural rights which are not related to land or resources. If Government and the Tlicho do not agree on the recognition of any future non-land right, the parties may turn to the court to determine whether the Tlicho have an additional right which will be added to the Tlicho Agreement.

A. Eligible Tlicho people who are interested in becoming beneficiaries of the Tlicho Agreement will need to apply to be listed on the Tlicho Citizens register. A "Tlicho Citizen" is a person whose name is on the Tlicho Citizens Register. To be eligible, a person must:

The Eligibility Committee for the Tlicho Agreement that coordinated the voting process for the ratification of the Tlicho Agreement will administer the register of Tlicho Citizens until the appointment of a Registrar by the Tlicho Government after the Agreement comes into effect.

A. The Tlicho Agreement contains 27 chapters that include the following topics, among others:
Enrolment
Tlicho Government
Tlicho Community Governments
Tlicho Lands
Access to Tlicho Lands
Wildlife Harvesting Rights
Wildlife Harvesting Management
Land and Water Regulation
Subsurface Resources
Mineral Royalties
Protected Areas
Heritage Resources
Economic Measures

A. Tlicho community governments established by territorial legislation, will replace existing local governments. Each Tlicho community government will have a Chief and councillors who will have law-making powers over areas that are municipal, or local, in nature.

The Chief and at least one other representative from each community government will be part of the Tlicho Government.

Q. How will residents of Tlicho communities who are not Tlicho Citizens be represented?

A. The new restructured public governments in the Tlicho communities will serve and represent all residents. In each of the community governments, all eligible voters will be eligible to vote for the councillors. The only limitation for voters who are not Tlicho Citizens is that only Tlicho Citizens can vote for Chief. Half the seats are open to all eligible voters. Only Tlicho citizens can be elected to the other half of the seats or to the position of Chief. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms will apply to these governments which will be accountable to the people they represent.

Q. How will land, water and resources be managed in the area covered by the Tlicho Agreement?

A. The Wekeezhii Renewable Resources Board will oversee the management of wildlife and habitat and make recommendations about wildlife, forest and plant resources, and commercial activities. The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board will continue to be involved in issuing water licences and land use permits in the Valley and its new regional panel, the Wekeezhii Land and Water Board, will be involved in issuing licences and permits in Wekeezhii.

A. For the first ten years after the Tlicho Agreement is in effect, an intergovernmental services agreement among the Tlicho, the GNWT and the Government of Canada would provide for the administration and delivery of key programs and services such as health care, education and other social programs and services in each of the four Tlicho communities. Programs and services will be delivered in a way that respects Tlicho heritage and culture.