The Tłı̨chǫ Nation has lived since time immemorial on their ancestral lands in what is now known as the Northwest Territories. At 39,000 km² the vast Tłı̨chǫ territory encompasses Yellowknife, capital city of Northwest Territories, as well as the communities of Behchokǫ̀, Whatì, Gamètì, and Wekweètì. The Tłı̨chǫ modern treaty (officially titled The Tłı̨chǫ Agreement) came into effect in 2003.

Chapters relating to environmental protection, regulation and assessment are:

Chapter 12 Wildlife Harvesting Management: Recognizes “the importance of wildlife and its habitat to the Tłı̨chǫ First Nation wellbeing, way of life and land-based economy.” It also creates the Wek’eezhii Renewable Resources Board (see following section for details) and describes its board composition, structure, responsibilities and process.

Chapter 13 Trees and Forest Management: Describes the terms under which the Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Wek’eezhi Renewable Resources Board work with the Government of the Northwest Territories in relation to forest management. This chapter also delineates the rights of Tłı̨chǫ to harvest trees for various purposes (e.g. firewood, wilderness camps), and requires that if the WRRB determines that commercial harvesting of trees would have an adverse effect on wildlife, the parties to the agreement will not authorize harvesting.

Chapter 14 Plants: Ensures that management decisions in relation to plants are made on an ecosystemic basis, and apply the principles and practices of conservation, and delineates the rights of Tłı̨chǫ to harvest plants for various purposes (e.g. food, medicines). As in Chapter 13, this chapter also requires that if the WRRB determines that commercial harvesting of plants would have an adverse effect on wildlife, the parties to the agreement will not authorize harvesting.

Chapter 15 National Parks: States that a purpose of establishing a national park is “to preserve and protect for future generations representative natural areas of national significance, including the wildlife of such areas”, and entitles Tłı̨chǫ Government to nominate 50 percent of the members of a national park committee, excluding the chairperson.

Chapter 16 Protected Areas: Requires the territorial government to consult with the Tłı̨chǫ Government prior to the establishment of any protected area and involve the Tłı̨chǫ Government in the preparation of territorial park management plans.

Chapter 21 Water Rights and Management: Gives the Tłı̨chǫ the right to use or deposit waste into waters on or flowing through Tłı̨chǫ lands, and to take legal action against people who substantially alter the quality, quantity or rate of flow of water on Tłı̨chǫ lands.

Chapter 22 Land and Water Regulation: Specifies an integrated system of land and water management throughout the Mackenzie Valley and requires that land and water regulation on Tłı̨chǫ lands and adjacent lands should be coordinated. This chapter also describes how the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB) and Wek’eezhii Land and Water Board will function and interact, including sharing of staff and advisors. It also describes the environmental impact assessment and review process to be used by the MVEIRB and describes the land use planning process.