Our Peoples

Inuvialuit

The people of the western Arctic coastal area speak Inuvialuktun and Innuinaqtun, both related to the eastern Arctic language, Inuktitut. The Inuvialuit Claim area includes Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, Paulatuk, Aklavik, Sachs Harbour and Ulukhaktok.

Gwich'in

The people of the lower Mackenzie Valley are related to Gwich'in groups in Yukon and Alaska. Their Land Claim includes present-day Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson, Aklavik and Inuvik.

Sahtu Dene

The traditional lands of the speakers of North Slavey are west and north of Great Bear Lake (Sahtu). The Sahtu claim includes the communities of Deline, Tulita, Fort Good Hope, Colville Lake and Norman Wells.

Tlicho

The Tlicho occupy traditional territory between Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes. The Tlicho Claim, and the reach of the Tlicho language includes Behchoko, Whati, Wekweeti, and Gameti.

Dehcho Claim

The people of the Dehcho speak South Slavey. There is one reserve, and Dehcho communities also include Hay River, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Trout Lake, Nahanni Butte, Kakisa, Jean Marie River and Wrigley.

Akaitcho Claim

The Akaitcho people speak Chipewyan, Cree and Dogrib. Their ancestors were active in Canada’s early fur trade. Today Akaitcho claimants live at Fort Resolution, Lutselk'e, Fort Smith, Dettah, N’Dilo and Yellowknife.

Métis

Many Northerners of mixed Aboriginal and European heritage are descendants of Cree/French families of the fur-trade era. Others have Scottish or English ancestors who came north with the Hudson's Bay Company. In some areas the Métis participate in the regional land claim, while in others the Métis are submitting a separate claim.

Aboriginal Canada Portal »

The Aboriginal Canada Portal offers one stop access on the Internet to information for and about First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada. Over 19,000 links connect users to national, provincial and regional level information, from both government and non government sources. Through the Portal you'll find information on topics such as economic development, business, employment, culture, claims and treaties, Aboriginal associations, news, justice, communities and upcoming events.