• Foundational Objectives for Unit Three

The government of Canada only recognizes two types of aboriginal land claims in Canada. Comprehensive land claims are usually made where there have been no treaties signed, and Specific claims are made in areas where treaties have been settled in the past.

Comprehensive claims generally take a long time to settle, perhaps as long as 10 years. The settlements include land ownership, use of land and resources within the settlement area.

The Canadian government classifies Treaty Land Entitlement as a specific claim. These are claims that have been made in areas where treaties have been settled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Treaty land Entitlement concerns the fulfillment of the promises of reserve land in the numbered treaties. There has been considerable debate about how much land needs to be made up in shortfall payments. In the province of Saskatchewan the Office of the Treaty Commissioner has been a major mediation source between the Federal government, the Provincial government and the First Nations bands of Saskatchewan.

Metis people in Canada still have outstanding land claims, which have not been recognized by the Federal and Provincial governments. While the courts in the provinces have recognized some Metis rights, it is a constant uphill battle for Metis people in Canada.

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