How Land Claims Are Defining Canada

To many Canadians, Land Claims Agreements are obscure legal documents dealing with small tracts of land in rural or remote areas of the country. In fact, Land Claims have had a huge impact on Canada's land, waters and resources.
 

Source: http://www.landclaimscoalition.ca/map.php

This map of modern treaty areas was prepared by the Land Claims Agreements Coalition, a group created to ensure that comprehensive land claims and associated self-government agreements are respected, honoured and fully implemented.

Modern treaties represent nation-to-nation and government-to-government relationships between an Aboriginal signatory, the Government of Canada, and in some cases a province or territory. They are intended to further define and recognize the Aboriginal land and resource rights of the Aboriginal signatory, and to meaningfully improve the social, cultural, political and economic well-being of the Aboriginal people concerned. At the same time, these agreements provide all signatories with a mutual foundation for the beneficial and sustainable development and use of Aboriginal peoples' traditional lands and resources.

Why do these agreements matter to all Canadians? Take another look at that map. Many of Canada's most pressing international policy concerns - Arctic Sovereignty, resource development, climate change - focus directly the regions now jointly governed by Canada and indigenous title-holders under various agreements. More than ever before, Aboriginal peoples and communities are a critical voice in Canada's national and global policy dialogue.

There are 24 modern treaties currently being implemented in Canada. Want to know more? Visit http://www.landclaimscoalition.ca/.