Agreements
Acho Dene Koe First Nation is a signatory to several historical and modern intergovernmental agreements. The following page is a listing to all the agreements both historically and modern:
Treaty 11, signed on 22 August 1921, was the final agreement in the series of Numbered Treaties concluded between First Nations and the Government of Canada after Confederation. Encompassing more than 950,000 km² across what is now the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, the treaty was driven largely by federal interest in emerging oil and gas prospects in the Mackenzie region.
The negotiation process was expedited, and subsequent implementation fell short of commitments—particularly regarding reserve creation, land rights, and long‑term obligations. These shortcomings have contributed to enduring disagreements over the treaty’s intent, scope, and fulfillment. Many of the Nations involved have since engaged in the modern treaty and land claims processes to clarify rights, assert jurisdiction, and advance self‑determination.
- Historical Context
The Royal Proclamation of 1763 recognized Aboriginal title, requiring the Canadian government to make treaties with Indigenous people before settling or using their land. After purchasing Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1870, the government pursued treaties to open Western Canada for settlement and build infrastructure like the Canadian Pacific Railway. Treaties were only offered where settlement or development was profitable, especially avoiding the North due to the perceived lack of value and administrative costs. Despite requests from missionaries, the HBC, and some First Nations, the government only entered into treaties when advantageous, as seen during the Klondike gold rush, which led to Treaty 8 in 1899 and Treaty 10 in 1906–07.
Treaty 11 also arose from economic necessity. Although oil was known in the Mackenzie region since the 1880s, a major strike at Norman Wells in 1920 accelerated resource development talks before the land was ceded. Henry Anthony Conroy urged officials, including Duncan Campbell Scott, to negotiate a treaty to avoid disputes over oil exploitation. Following the Norman Wells discovery and increased immigration, officials stressed the urgency of treaty-making, noting Indigenous peoples’ eagerness to be included.
- Terms of the Treaty
Like other Numbered Treaties, Treaty 11 exchanged land for money, supplies, reserves, and certain guarantees. Its terms, especially regarding agriculture and education, are less specific than those of earlier treaties, implying less emphasis on a settled lifestyle. Reserves were allotted at about one square mile per family of five, with adjustments for family size. The government could reclaim reserve land for public works if compensation was provided, and signatories retained regulated hunting, fishing, and trapping rights.
Each group received tools and $50 per family in hunting, trapping, and fishing equipment, plus an annual supply of $3 in goods. Additional agricultural assistance was available as needed. Chiefs received a one-time payment of $32, headmen $22, and others $12, along with annual amounts thereafter. Chiefs also received commemorative items and new clothing every three years. For education, the government covered teacher salaries as it saw fit.
The Northwest Territories Lands and Resources Devolution Agreement was signed on June 25, 2013.
This agreement transferred responsibility for public land, water and resource management in the Northwest Territories from the federal department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) to the Government of Northwest Territories on April 1, 2014.
The NWT Devolution Agreement marked a significant shift in governance, allowing the GNWT to manage public land, water, and resources. This transfer of authority is part of a broader strategy to provide Northerners with greater control over their economic and political destiny. As a signatory to the agreement, Acho Dene Koe First Nation and other signatory First Nations have a unique opportunity. The agreement aims to enhance local governance and ensure that the benefits of resource development are shared with residents and Aboriginal groups in the region.
The term ‘devolution’ refers to a transfer of responsibility from the federal government to a provincial or territorial government. The devolution of federal responsibilities has happened many times in Canada since the late 1800s as our country has grown.
For more information concerning implementation the devolution agreement: Link to the Government of Northwest Territories page – Implementing the Devolution Agreement | Executive and Indigenous Affairs.
The Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding between the Acho Dene Koe First Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories was signed on October 3, 2022. This MOU Agreement commits the two governments to work together in building a stronger government-to-government relationship. Bilateral meetings are to occur annually with the Government of Northwest Territories with the meetings providing an important forum to identify areas of mutual interest and concern so that the two governments can better work together to bring benefits to Northwest Territories residents.