The Labrador Innu assert Aboriginal rights and title throughout a large area of central Labrador and Eastern Québec including the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. No treaty has ever been signed with the Innu of Labrador. The Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle being signed today only addresses their claim in Labrador.
The Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) sets out jurisdictions, rights, benefits and limitations for the Labrador Innu in a variety of subject areas. These include the harvesting of forest resources and plants; fish; migratory birds; and wildlife. All rights and benefits are directly tied to specific geographically defined lands
There are four types of lands referenced in the AIP:
The proposed agreement includes a financial package which is subject to the following conditions:
- $118 million to be paid out once the Agreement comes into force (the period of time over which this payment is to occur is to be negotiated with the Labrador Innu);
- $10 million for an economic development fund, $10 million for a heritage fund and $10 million for a capacity building fund, all of which are one-time payments to be provided once the Agreement receives Royal Assent.
