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Aboriginal rights

The agreement-in-principle provides for the recognition of the aboriginal rights of the Innu, including aboriginal title. In return, the effects and the terms for exercising these rights will be clearly defined so that Quebecers and Innu have a good knowledge of such rights.

Aboriginal title is a type of aboriginal right associated with the exclusive occupation of a territory. It comprises the right to use and occupy lands exclusively.

What is an aboriginal right?

An aboriginal right stems from a custom, a practice or a tradition that characterizes the culture of an aboriginal group. This right had to exist prior to the contact with the Europeans; it is most often associated with a territorial occupation since that period. Moreover, the Courts have ruled that an aboriginal nation present on a territory when the Europeans arrived – and that has continued to frequent the territory ever since – has specific rights on that territory, known as “aboriginal rights”.