In Canada, Indigenous self-government is primarily established through negotiated agreements between the federal government and Indigenous communities or organizations. These agreements, commonly referred to as "modern treaties" or "comprehensive land claim agreements," typically provide for the recognition and implementation of self-government for Indigenous peoples.
Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System
ATRIS is a Web-based information system intended to map out the location of Aboriginal communities and display information pertaining to their potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights.
These pages contain information about Final Agreements relating to Comprehensive Land Claims and Self-Government. The full text of Agreements can often be located here. Agreements and related materials can be browsed by province.
B.C. Treaty Commission: Negotiations
This site provides lists of Treaties and Agreements, transition agreements, and negotiation updates in B.C.
Many Nations have information about governance available on their website. Full text Agreements are often made available on their sites, as are other documents providing valuable contextual information such as updates about the negotiation process. On this linked page, search for a Nation and view their profile where a website if often listed.
Government of Canada Publications
If the full text of Agreements cannot be found elsewhere, it may be findable through Government of Canada Publications.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: Agreements under Negotiation
These pages list Agreements that are currently under negotiation, including Framework Agreements, Agreements-in-Principle, and Memoranda of Understanding. Agreements can be browsed by province.
Global Affairs Canada - Treaty Law Division
Up-to-date records relating to the status of treaties. They can be searched by subject, keyword, or free text.
Legislation related to Agreements (such as Acts that implement Agreements) can be found on the Justice Laws website.
Agreement |
Year |
Description |
Related Legislation |
1977 |
This Agreement was signed by Cree and Inuit representatives, the Governments of Quebec and Canada, the "Société de développement de la Baie James", the "Société d'énergie de la Baie James" and "Hydro-Québec". It is a comprehensive land claim agreement that includes self-government components. |
James Bay and Northern Quebec Native Claims Settlement Act (S.C. 1976-77, c. 32)
Naskapi and the Cree-Naskapi Commission Act (S.C. 1984, c. 18)
Act Respecting Cree, Inuit And Naskapi Native Persons, (CQLR c A-33.1) |
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1978 |
This Agreement was signed by the Naskapi Band of Schefferville signed the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (NEQA) with the Governments of Quebec and Canada, the "Société de développement de la Baie James", the "Société d'énergie de la Baie James", "Hydro-Québec", the Grand Council of the Crees (of Quebec) and the Northern Quebec Inuit Association. It is a comprehensive land claim agreement that includes self-government components. |
Act approving the Northeastern Québec Agreement (CQLR c C-67.1) |
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1984 |
This Agreement allowed a limited form of local self-government through the creation of the Western Arctic Regional Municipality. |
Western Arctic (lnuvialuit) Claims Settlement Act (S.C. 1984, c. 24) |
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1986 |
In 1986, Sechelt became self-governing when it approved the Sechelt Indian Band Self-Government Act, now named the shíshálh Nation Self-Government Act. |
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1993 |
This Agreement is a framework document that all 14 Yukon First Nations negotiated and agreed to use as the structure for finalizing their individual First Nation Final Agreements. The Nations include: Champagne and Aishihik First Nations First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun Teslin Tlingit Council Vuntut Gwich’in First Nation Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Selkirk First Nation Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation Ta'an Kwäch'än Council Kluane First Nation Kwanlin Dün First Nation Carcoss/Tagish First Nation 11/14 of these Nations have finalized their land claims and their Final and Self-Government Agreements. |
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The Champagne and Aishihik First Nations Self-government Agreement |
1993 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
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The First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun Self-Government Agreement |
1993 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers including law-making, taxation, and programs and services. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
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1993 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
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1993 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
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Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Self-Government Agreement |
1997 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
Yukon First Nations Self Government Act, SC 1994, c 35
Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation Self-Government Agreement Implementation Plan |
1997 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
Yukon First Nations Self Government Act, SC 1994, c 35
Selfkirk First Nation Self-Government Agreement Implementation Plan |
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1997 |
This Agreement provides jurisdiction over primary, elementary and secondary education on reserve and with management responsibilities for the Department’s post-secondary education programs. |
Mi'kmaq Education Act, SNS 1998, c 17
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1998 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
Yukon First Nations Self Government Act, SC 1994, c 35
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Agreement |
Year |
Description |
Related Legislation |
2000 |
A provision within the treaty determines that the Nisg̱a'a Nation has the right to self-government and the authority to make laws. |
Nisga’a Final Agreement Act (S.C. 2000, c. 7) |
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2002 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
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2003 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
Yukon First Nations Self Government Act, SC 1994, c 35 Kluane First Nation Self-Government Agreement Implementation Plan. |
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2005 |
This is an example of a stand-alone self-government agreement without a modern treaty. The Agreement covers the Nation’s powers of government and membership, financial and resource management, agriculture, environmental protection, culture and language, education, and health services. |
An Act to give effect to the Westbank First Nation Self Government Agreement (S.C. 2004, c. 17) Westbank First Nation Land Registry Regulations (SOR/2007-232) |
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2005 |
This land claim includes self-government guidelines, making the Labradormiut the first Inuit in Canada to achieve self-government. |
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2006 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
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2005 |
This Agreement defines the Nations’ self-government powers. It implements the Yukon First Nations Umbrella Final Agreement. |
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Tlicho First Nation Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement |
2006 |
The Tłı̨chǫ Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement was signed by representatives of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Government of Canada. The Tłı̨chǫ Agreement is the first combined land claim and self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories. |
Tlicho Land Claims and Self-government Agreement Act (S.N.W.T. 2003, c. 28). |
2009 |
The five Maa-nulth First Nations (Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations, Toquaht Nation, Uchucklesaht Tribe, and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ) signed this Treaty, part of which recognizes the Nations’ legal authority to govern their own affairs. |
Maanulth First Nations Final Agreement Act (S.C. 2009, c. 18) |
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2009 |
There is a self-government aspect of this Treaty dealing with the Nation’s ability to make its own laws govern many areas, including governance, natural resources, land management, social programming, health care, education post-secondary education, social assistance, child and family services, and others. |
Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act (S.C. 2008, c. 32) |
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2013 |
This self-governance agreement permits Sioux Valley Dakota Nation laws to apply on its reserve lands. |
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2016 |
Self-government provisions enable Tla’amin Nation to make its own decisions about matters related to its culture, the exercise of its treaty rights and the operation of its government. |
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2015 |
This agreement builds on the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, where the parties agreed that each Sahtu community could negotiate self-government. |
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2017 |
This agreement establishes self-government over specific jurisdictions, recognizing the Nation's jurisdiction over primary and secondary education. |
Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement Act (S.C. 2017, c. 32) |
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Agreement on Cree Nation Governance Between The Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Government of Canada |
2017 |
This Governance Agreement (alongside the Cree Constitution) set out a comprehensive regime of Cree self‑governance on Cree Category IA lands. |
Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee Governance Agreement Act (S.C. 2018, c. 4, s. 1) |
2022 |
Five Anishinabek First Nations signed the agreement recognizing their law-making powers and authority to self-govern. |
Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement Act (S.C. 2022, c. 9, s. 1) |