Only a short distance from Québec's urban centres
lies land claimed by Indigenous nations. Before planning any type
of activity on claimed territory, including natural resource
development projects, it is important to be aware of the potential
impacts of Indigenous rights.
Greater recognition for Indigenous rights was granted in the
1982 Constitution Act and the need to respect these rights
has been expressed in various court rulings. There are numerous
types of Indigenous rights, from traditional land use rights, such
as hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering, to ancestral rights
akin to property ownership rights.
In some parts of Canada, ancestral rights claims have become
subject to regulations in contemporary and historical treaties.
However, several territories that are not mentioned in treaties
have been claimed by different Indigenous nations. These claims
often pertain to the exclusive occupation and use of the land. To
obtain such recognition, an
