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Inuvialuit Final Agreement

In 1984, Parliament enacted the Western Arctic Claims (Inuvialuit) Settlement Act, thereby giving effect to the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA). The IFA, which emphasizes the importance of wildlife and wildlife harvesting, is a land claims agreement within the meaning of section 35(3) of the Constitution Act, 1982 and takes precedence over other legislation which may conflict or be inconsistent with it.

The goals of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement are:

  • To preserve Inuvialuit cultural identity and values within a changing northern society.
  • To enable Inuvialuit to be equal and meaningful participants in the northern and national economy and society.
  • To protect and preserve Arctic wildlife, environment and biological productivity.

To assist in meeting these goals, a co-management system was developed through the IFA. The EIRB is an integral part of this co-management system.