The Athabasca Denesuline and Ghotelnene K'odtineh Dene have reached an important ratification stage for their land claim agreements.
Both groups — along with the GNWT, Government of Nunavut, and federal government — have now initialled their respective land claim agreements, it was announced on Nov. 29.
This marks "an important step toward renewing their nation-to-nation relationships," and "implementing the AD [Athabasca Denesuline] and GKD's [Ghotelnene K'odtineh Dene's] visions of a better future for their communities," a federal government news release stated. "The AD and GKD are beginning community ratification to ask eligible voters to approve their respective agreements. If successfully ratified by all parties, including the passing of federal legislation, the two agreements will constitutionally protect and address harvesting, land ownership, resource management and other rights and benefits of the AD and GKD in their respective agreement areas within the existing boundaries of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. GKD and AD have shared Nuh Nene and Nuhenene, respectively, with the barren-ground caribou herds, and their culture, history, economy, way of life, and overall well-being are tied to the movement and health of these herds."
The AD is made up of Black Lake First Nation, Fond du Lac First Nation, and Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation. The group's traditional territory, called Nuhenene, covers northern Saskatchewan and southern portions of the NWT and Nunavut.
"Athabasca Denesuline people are pleased to reach this agreement-initialling milestone after many years of negotiations," said president and chief negotiator Ron Robillard. "The dedication, wisdom and determination of our Elders paved the way to make this challenge become a reality with the recognition of our ancestral rights throughout Nuhenene, our traditional territory encompassing parts of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. We look forward to finalizing our agreement through the ratification process with our three Denesuline First Nations of Black Lake, Fond du Lac and Hatchet Lake in the coming months."
The GKD comprises the Sayisi Dene First Nation and Northlands Denesuline First Nation. The group's traditional territory, called Nuh Nene, spans the barren lands of what is now Nunavut, the NWT, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
"We are proud of what we have accomplished so far and eagerly waiting to see what the future holds," said Sayisi Dene First Nation Chief Jason Bussidor.
Northlands Denesuline First Nation Chief Simon Denechezhe added he is "hopeful the Ghotelnene K'odtineh Dene Agreement will be the basis to work collaboratively on rebuilding our nation-to-nation relationship with the Crown."
NWT Premier R.J. Simpson said the milestone "brings us closer to clarifying and confirming the rights of the Athabasca Denesuline and Ghotelnene K'odtineh Dene in the Northwest Territories."
"This represents a profound step toward renewing the relationship between our governments based on respect," Simpson added.
