2005 Tåîchô Self Government Agreement

TheTåîchô Agreement – which came into effect August 4, 2005 – is the Northwest Territories’ first combined land claim and self-government agreement. It was on this day that the Tåîchô Government took power and held its inaugural assembly in Behchokö. It was a momentous day not only for the Tåîchô (Dogrib) Dene but also for all the people of the north. Through a process that had taken almost thirty years the 3000 Tåîchô living in the Northwest Territories’ communities of Behchokö, Whatì, Gamètì, and Wekweètì (see map) took a huge step towards self-governance and self-reliance.

Through the Tåîchô Government, residents of the area gained control of 39,000 square kilometres of land between Great Slave and Great Bear lakes in the central Northwest Territories [map]. This is the largest single block of First Nations owned land in Canada, comparable in size to some of the smaller European countries such as the Netherlands (33,935 km²), Switzerland (41,296 km²), or Denmark (43,098 km²).

The Tåîchô Agreement also gave the Tåîchô Government jurisdiction over programs and services once controlled by the Government of the Northwest Territories. These include social assistance and housing, child and family services, and education. This new government – considered a ‘public’ government in that it represents both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people residing on Tåîchô lands – also has the power to create its own justice system with powers up to, but excluding, criminal matters.

This new regional government is funded through an annual payment from the Federal Government and through the ability to raise revenue through fees, royalties and taxation. The land claim cash settlement of $152 million, paid over 15 years, will form the base for a Tåîchô Heritage Fund.

The future for the Tåîchô Dene looks bright. They now have the means to protect and promote their heritage, culture, language and way-of-life. They can make their own laws, participate in the protection of their environment and, exercise control over the development of their natural resources.

Bronze bust of Alex Charlo (1894-1992) by sculptor Harold Pfeiffer, 1971. Born in the Detah area, Charlo lived in Behchokö most of his life. He was a strong community leader. He traveled to Rome, met Pope Paul VI and toured Europe. He was very involved in politics, and land claim negotiations that eventually led to the Tåîchô land claim and self-government agreement after his death. (PWNHC/X973.48.5)