As mentioned earlier, each modern treaty signatory is a distinct people with unique cultural, political, and economic priorities. As a result, no two modern treaties are the same, including programs and services covered under related self-government agreements. Each treaty is designed to ensure that federal, provincial/territorial, and in some cases municipal governments can work with the modern treaty government to deliver programs and services to the population.

Common programs and services included under self-government agreements are:

• Local services (roads, water, sewer, etc.)
• Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice
• Child and Family Services
• Education

Taking over or “drawing down” these programs and services from other jurisdictions is a high priority for many modern treaty governments, but there is a major barrier preventing this from occurring: lack of resources. Funding provided by the Government of Canada is not sufficient to allow them to draw down all of the programs and services they wish to control. The result is that while these self-government agreements have been signed, they are not being fully implemented.