HISTORIC TLICHO LAND CLAIM AND SELF-GOVERNMENT
AGREEMENT SIGNED TODAY

RAE-EDZO, NWT (AUGUST 25, 2003) – Representatives of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), and the Government of Canada today signed the Tlicho Agreement. The Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Jean Chrétien, attended the ceremony. This signing coincided closely with the 82nd anniversary of Treaty 11, which Chief Monfwi signed in 1921, on behalf of the Tlicho people.

The Tlicho Agreement is the first combined land claim and self-government agreement of its kind in the Northwest Territories. The Agreement will create the largest single block of First Nation owned land in Canada, and provide new systems of self-government for the Tlicho First Nation (who were previously known as the Dogrib). The Tlicho will gain more effective tools and new law-making powers to protect and promote the Tlicho culture and way of life, and enhance the economic growth and well being of their communities.

“The Tlicho Agreement is an extension to Treaty 11, signed on our behalf in 1921 by Chief Monfwi," said Grand Chief Joe Rabesca for the Tlicho Nation. "The dedication and hard work of all parties have made this day possible."

“I am honoured to be here to witness history in the making. We have come full circle from the day I shook hands here with Grand Chief Bruneau many years ago,” said Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. “It is with great admiration and respect that I congratulate the Tlicho people on this momentous step in taking even greater control of their future.”

“This agreement puts the tools of self-sufficiency where they belong - in the hands of the Tlicho people. It gives the Tlicho more power to protect their way of life, to further responsible economic growth, and to increase community well being,” said Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. “I am pleased to be part of the celebration for such an achievement. The spirit of cooperation, innovation and determination shown by all parties is a model for the future.”

“We have signed an historic modern day treaty today, the first combined land claim and self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories,” said Jim Antoine, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs for the Government of the Northwest Territories. “It is a great honour to share in this celebration with the Tlicho people. I would like to thank all involved for their hard work in reaching this important agreement.”

Under the Tlicho Agreement, the Tlicho Government will be created, and through it the Tlicho people will own a 39,000 square kilometre block of land (Tlicho lands), including the subsurface resources. Tlicho lands will surround the four Tlicho communities of Behcho Ko (Rae-Edzo), Wha Ti (Lac la Martre), Gameti (Rae Lakes), and Wekweti (Snare Lakes). Over a number of years, the Tlicho Government will receive approximately $100 million, as well as an annual share of resource royalties that the government receives from development in the Mackenzie Valley.

The Tlicho will gain fee simple title to approximately 3% of the land mass in the Northwest Territories, an area slightly smaller than the size of Switzerland. Implementation of the Agreement should mean increased certainty and clarity about ownership and management of land and resources in the North Slave region (which totals about 20% of the Northwest Territories). Certainty will help attract investment and economic growth.

The Tlicho Agreement was ratified by Tlicho eligible voters on June 26 and 27, 2003. A total of 93% of the Tlicho participated in the vote, and over 84% of Tlicho voters were in favour of the Tlicho Agreement. The remaining steps before the Agreement comes into effect include passing territorial and federal legislation to bring the Tlicho Agreement into force.

For further information, please contact:

Dogrib Treaty 11 Council:
John B.Zoe
Chief Negotiator
Dogrib Treaty 11 Council
Rae-Edzo, NT
(867) 392-6381
(867) 392-6389 (FAX)

Government of the Northwest Territories:
Roy Erasmus, Sr.
A/Chief Negotiator
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, GNWT
(867) 873-5440
(867) 873-4924 (FAX)

Government of Canada:
PMO Press Office
613 957-5555

Alastair Mullin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister, INAC
(819) 997-0002
(819) 953-4941 (FAX)