The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations (DAAIR) supports the Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations.

The core activities of the Department are to: 

• Coordinate the implementation of final land, resources and self-government agreements;
• Negotiate implementation agreements and financing arrangements for land, resources and self-government agreements;
• Negotiate land, resources and self-government agreements; and
• Manage relations with federal, provincial, territorial, Aboriginal and international governments.

 Mandate

The mandate of the Minister and Department is to protect, develop and promote the interests of the territorial government and the residents of the Northwest Territories in the negotiation and implementation of land, resources and self-government agreements that address Aboriginal rights in the Northwest Territories; participate in the political and constitutional development of the Northwest Territories; and ensure that mutually respectful intergovernmental relations between the territorial government and Aboriginal, provincial, territorial, national and international governments are developed and maintained.


DAAIR has the following Divisions to carry out the responsibilities of the Department:

• Corporate Management
• Negotiations
• Implementation
• Intergovernmental Relations

Principles

In directing the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations to carry out its mandate, the Minister will adhere to the following principles: 

• Aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories have rights, which should be defined, recognized and protected in a variety of forums; 
• The interests of the residents of the Northwest Territories should be best served by a negotiated resolution of Aboriginal rights, including land, resources and self-government agreements, and the political and constitutional development of the Northwest Territories; 
• Political and constitutional development, including the resolution of Aboriginal rights, should promote greater self determination for the Northwest Territories and develop forms of public and Aboriginal government that reflect the interests of the residents of the Northwest Territories;  
• A comprehensive approach to the political and constitutional development in the Northwest Territories should be followed; 
• The negotiation and implementation of land, resources and self-government agreements and political and constitutional development should be coordinated with the negotiation of agreements respecting the transfer of provincial-type powers and the management and ownership of public lands and resources; and 
• The Government of the Northwest Territories’ relationship with Aboriginal, provincial, territorial, national and international governments should be managed in a coordinated and coherent manner for the benefit of the Northwest Territories’ residents, economy, governments and environment.

DAAIR is guided by the following policy:

DAAIR Establishment Policy

DAAIR administers the following policies: 

Intergovernmental Relations Policy

Aboriginal Land Claims Policy