The long history, rich culture, and unique traditions of Aboriginal people in the NWT have helped to shape and define the NWT.
Self-government agreements are intended to implement the Aboriginal party’s inherent right to self government. As such, self-government agreements describe the structure of Aboriginal government(s), at potentially both the community and regional levels, and describe the powers and responsibilities of the self-government(s).
Self-government negotiations in the NWT are guided by the Federal Inherent Right Policy.