| WHEREAS |
the Gwich段n have traditionally used and occupied lands in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon from time immemorial; |
| WHEREAS |
Treaty 11 was signed at Arctic Red River on the 26th day of July, 1921, and at Fort McPherson on the 28th day of July, 1921, with chiefs and headmen representing the Gwich段n (also known as the Loucheux); |
| WHEREAS |
following the signing of Treaty 11, cash grants were issued to the Gwich段n Metis; |
| WHEREAS |
the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms the existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada; |
| WHEREAS |
the Gwich段n and Canada have unresolved differences with respect to the interpretation of aboriginal and treaty rights; |
| WHEREAS |
the Gwich段n and Canada have negotiated in order to define and give effect to certain rights of the Gwich段n as set out in this agreement, which is a modem treaty; |
| WHEREAS |
the Gwich段n, in a vote held between September 16 and 20, 1991, ratified the July 13, 1991 text of this agreement; |
| WHEREAS |
following Gwich段n ratification of the agreement, land descriptions were appended, the Yukon transboundary agreement was made more detailed and the text of the agreement was revised by the parties to improve its clarity; |
| WHEREAS |
the Gwich段n Tribal Council has approved by resolution the text of this agreement; |
| WHEREAS |
Canada has approved this agreement by Order-in-Council P.C. 1992-757, dated April 10, 1992; |
| AND WHEREAS |
representatives of the Gwich段n and Canada are authorized to sign this treaty which, when given effect by Parliament in settlement legislation, will be recognized as a land claim agreement under the Constitution Act, 1982; |
