The Tlicho Agreement was signed by the Tlicho, the Federal Government, and the GNWT on August 25, 2003 and came into effect August 4, 2005.
The Tlicho Land Claims and Self-government Agreement (referred to as "the Agreement") is the first combined land, resource, and self-government agreement in the NWT. Canada, the GNWT and the Tlicho are parties to the agreement.
The Agreement provides the Tlicho with ownership of a single block of 39,000 square kilometres of land, including subsurface resources, adjacent to or surrounding the four Tlicho Communities of Behchoko, Whati, Gameti, and Wekweeti.
The Agreement also provides for self-government. A regional Tlicho Government was created with law-making authority over Tlicho Citizens in Tlicho Communities and on Tlicho lands. This law-making authority includes aspects of education, adoption, child and family services, training, income support, social housing, and Tlicho language and culture.
A Tlicho Community Services Agency provides certain services to all residents based on Tlicho Laws and NWT Laws.
The Agreement provides for guaranteed Tlicho participation on the Wek’eezhii Renewable Resources Board and the Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board.
The Agreement commits that the Federal Government will provide the Tlicho Government with payments totalling $152 million over 14 years. The Tlicho Government also receives a share of resource royalties collected by The Federal Government from resource development in the Mackenzie Valley.
The Agreement also provides for the creation of a Tlicho Community Government in each Tlicho Community. These governments replace the Indian Act Bands and NWT municipal corporations that were in place prior to the Effective Date of the Agreement.
Tlicho Community Governments were created by Northwest Territories (NWT) legislation, consistent with the terms of the Agreement. They represent and serve all residents of Tlicho Communities and are responsible for municipal services.
The Agreement ensures that the Chief and at least half the community councillors will be Tlicho Citizens. From each Tlicho Community Government, the Chief and at least two councillors are appointed to the Tlicho Government. All Tlicho Citizens elect the Grand Chief of the Tlicho Government.
Final Agreement
• Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement
Implementation Plan
• Tlicho Implementation Plan
Annual Reports
• Annual Reports
