Treaties in the Northwest Territories
Learn about the numbered treaties in the Northwest Territories.
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History of numbered treaties
Beginning in the early 1600s, the British Crown entered into a series of treaties with Indigenous nations in what is now known as Canada. Immediately following Confederation, Canada embarked on a national treaty-making campaign to secure land for settlement. This included what we call the numbered treaties.
The numbered treaties were negotiated between 1871 and 1921. They were largely based on the model of the 1850 Robinson Treaties. A total of 11 numbered treaties were negotiated during this period, culminating with Treaty 11 in 1921. Of the numbered treaties, Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 cover what is now known as the Northwest Territories.
Though the general form and scope of the numbered treaties are similar, each agreement has unique clauses. At their core the treaties were large scale land surrenders, and from the federal government's perspective at the time, brought Indigenous people under the jurisdiction of the Dominion of Canada and its laws.
Treaties in the Northwest Territories
Treaty 8 was signed in 1899 and is the largest treaty by area. It covers just over 841,487 km². This treaty includes First Nations in northern Alberta, northern Saskatchewan, parts of Northern British Columbia and parts of Southern Northwest Territories.
Treaty 11 was signed in 1921 and 1922, and is the last of the numbered treaties signed between the Canadian government and First Nations. It covers 950,000 km² of present-day Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Treaties provided the government with land for development and in exchange promised signatory First Nations:
- reserve lands
- annuities
- the continued right to hunt and fish on unoccupied Crown lands
Legacy of the numbered treaties in the Northwest Territories
Summer 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 11 by the Crown and representatives of the Dehcho, Tłı̨chǫ, Sahtu and Gwich'in peoples. June 2024 will mark the 125th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 8 by the Crown and representatives of 39 First Nations, including the following 6 NWT First Nations:
- Yellowknives Dene First Nation
- Lutselk'e Dene First Nation
- Salt River First Nation
- Smith's Landing First Nation
- K'atl'odeeche First Nation
- Deninu Kue First Nation
There are a variety of perspectives about the legacy of treaties, including Treaty 8 and Treaty 11. Modern treaties present an opportunity to advance the recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights and self-determination in new ways that work better for Indigenous Governments.
Canada continues to fulfill commitments made under the numbered treaties, which are symbolic of the uniquerelationship between First Nations and the Crown. For information on the different financial and compensation obligations treaties may include, please visit Treaty annuity payments.