Federal government says it'll pay for Indigenous groups to negotiate land claims: budget 2018

The federal government says it will now cover the cost for Indigenous groups to negotiate land claims with Ottawa.

The new policy was announced on Tuesday in the 2018 federal budget — with very little detail.

In the budget, the government says starting this year, "Indigenous participation in modern treaty negotiations will be funded through non-repayable contributions."

The government also says it will work with Indigenous groups to come up with a way to deal with outstanding loans which could include forgiving them all together.

• Budget boosts funding for First Nations self-government, Indigenous services

Previously, the federal government loaned Indigenous groups money to participate in land claim negotiations. That money was used to hire negotiators, cover flights and other costs.

Those loans were to be paid back once Indigenous groups had settled their land claims. For many groups, those loans have become a major burden.

"Oh yeah it's over $30 million plus dollars," N.W.T. Metis Nation President Garry Bailey told CBC. The group has been negotiating a land claim with the federal government for two decades.

"Because of the loan, we'd be finalizing our agreement and have no money left for our members."

N.W.T. Akaitcho Chief Ed Sangris says the policy change is a good first step.

"I don't understand why we had to beg for a loan to negotiate on our own lands and resources. It's not a fair system," Sangris said.

"We've lobbied the government for this for a long time so finally I guess they're starting to listen."

• NWT Mé​tis Nation has spent $30M and counting negotiating its land claim
• Northwest Territories gov't promises new offers for outstanding land claims