Modern Land Claim Agreements and Northern Canadian Aboriginal Communities

Abstract

The Canadian government's attempt to create a sound economic system within Aboriginal communities began more than four decades ago. In the mid-1970s, the settlement of Modern Treaties started as a new approach to finding permanent solutions to Aboriginal economic and social problems. Some analysts believe that Modern Treaties provide a strong foundation for sustainable Aboriginal socio-economic development. Others argue that the financial compensations received through the agreements were inadequate to attain a meaningful transformation of Aboriginal communities. This paper examines the impact of Modern Treaties on the economic and socio-demographic status of Aboriginal communities in the Northwest Territories and Northern Quebec.