Website: www.sahtu.ca
Head of Government/Organization: Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Chairperson / Frank Andrew, Grand Chief
Description: In July 1993, the Sahtu Dene and Metis voted to approve the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (the Agreement). After being approved by the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories, the Agreement was signed on September 6, 1993, in Tulita (formerly Fort Norman).
TheSahtu Dene and Metis Land Claim Settlement Act came into effect on June 23, 1994.
The agreement provides the Sahtú Dene and Metis with title to 41,437 square kilometres of land in the Northwest Territories, an area slightly larger than Vancouver Island. Subsurface rights are included on 1,813 square kilometres of this land.
The Sahtu Secretariat Inc (SSI) is the coordinating body for seven Land Corporations. It functions as a point of contact for all government agencies and departments on issues such as education, health, environment and economic development. The Secretariat’s mandate is to ensure implementation of programs and services under the land claims agreement for the benefit of the Sahtú people.
The SSI does not own land. Title to all settlement lands outside of municipalities are vested to the district land corporations in the three districts of Deline, Tulita and K’ahsho Got’ine as defined in Chapter 19 of the Agreement and the Designate Sahtu Organization. As such, the responsibility for the ownership and management of these lands rest with the three district land corporations on behalf of the land claim participants.
The Sahtú Dene Council functions as a political body for the Sahtú, in treaty matters and matters relating to the Indian Act. The Council made up of the four Bands provides leadership in reviewing and deciding on anything that influences the way in which Sahtú business is conducted, and acts in an advisory capacity concerning day to day operations and management.
Treaty/Land Claim Agreement: Sahtú Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement
Signatories to the Agreement: Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Government of the Northwest Territories and Government of Canada
Key Dates: September 6, 1993 – Signing date June 23, 1994 – Effective Date
Brief description of the region covered by claim: Central Northwest Territories
Total Land Area: 41,437 km²
Estimated value to Canada of resources and revenues extracted from Aboriginal signatory’s traditional lands: $12,412,431.90 as of 2006 year only
# of Beneficiaries: 3010
First Nations within the Land Claims Areas: 2438 are First Nation and 572 are Metis within our settlement.
Aboriginal Languages Spoken: North Slavey