Gwich'in Tribal Council facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gwichʼin Tribal Council
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Indigenous organization
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GTC jurisdiction
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| Country | Canada | |
| Territory | Northwest Territories | |
| Territorial riding | Mackenzie Delta | |
| Established | April 22, 1992 | |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 1,860 | |
| Website | Official website: https://gwichintribal.ca/ | |
The Gwichʼin Tribal Council is a First Nations organization representing the Gwichʼin people of northern Canada, owning approximately 23,884 square kilometres of land in Yukon and the Northwest Territories. It was created in 1992 with the final ratification of the Gwichʼin Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement with the Government of Canada. Negotiations to achieve a Final Agreement, and thus, Gwichʼin self-government, are ongoing.
History
The Gwichʼin people have been present in Alaska, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories since time immemorial. In 1921, chiefs and headmen representing the Gwichʼin (then known as the Loucheux) population in Canada signed Treaty 11, but unresolved differences arose between the interpretation of aboriginal and treaty rights by the Gwichʼin and by Canada, and many obligations were never fulfilled. To provide certainty and clarity of rights to land ownership, and to ensure various rights and benefits to the Gwichʼin people, the Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement was signed as a modern treaty on April 22, 1992.
Members
- Carcross/Tagish First Nation
- Champagne and Aishihik First Nation
- Ehdiitat Gwich'in Council
- First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun
- Gwichya Gwich'in Council
- Kluane First Nation
- Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation
- Nihtat Gwich'in Council
- Selkirk First Nation
- Ta'an Kwach'an Council
- Teslin Tlingit Council
- Tetlin Gwich'in Council
- Tr'ondek Hwech'in
Powers and responsibilities
Although not a full self-government, the Gwichʼin Tribal Council has authority over planning and conservation within its jurisdiction, and exercises full ownership of various lands and organizations. These holdings include subsurface rights to certain parcels in the NWT, as well as the Gwichʼin Development Corporation and Gwichʼin Settlement Corporation. An additional Yukon Transboundary Agreement extends some of these rights into a part of neighbouring Yukon, provided that other First Nations in that jurisdiction are co-operated with.
