Land, resources and self-government agreements combine land claim and self-government into a single agreement. These agreements describe certain Aboriginal and Treaty rights in relation to land, resources and self-government. In addition to bringing clarity to Aboriginal ownership of land and resources, these agreements define the jurisdictions, authorities and responsibilities of Aboriginal Governments.
Self-government agreements are intended to implement the Aboriginal party’s inherent right to self government. As such, self-government agreements describe the structure of Aboriginal government(s), at potentially both the community and regional levels, and describe the powers and responsibilities of the self-government(s).
Land and resources agreements (sometimes referred to as land claim agreements) provide clarity and certainty in relation to Aboriginal and Treaty rights over land and resources. These agreements bring clarity with respect to the Aboriginal party's ownership title of land and resources, cash compensation, royalties from resource development, harvesting rights and rights to participate in the regulation of the land, water, and environment.
The Aboriginal governments in the process of negotiating land, resources and self-government agreements are: