Economic Development
Modern treaty leaders expend enormous time and effort negotiating and implementing these agreements because they want a better life for their people. One important path to that better life involves creating new economic opportunities.
Many modern treaties include provisions for governments to take economic measures to support traditional economies, wildlife harvesters, renewable resources, Indigenous commercial enterprises, and economic training and employment.
For example, the Nunavut Agreement requires both the federal and the territorial governments to take steps to ensure Inuit participation in the governments’ workforce in the territory at a representative level, which is 85%. Article 24 of the Nunavut Agreement requires that the federal and Nunavut governments develop contracting policies to improve the position of Inuit-owned firms and Inuit employment in the Nunavut economy.
A number of modern treaties have established economic development funds. For example, the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement required the establishment of the $5 million Tłı̨chǫ Government Strategic Development Investment Fund.
