Abstract

The last twenty-five years have witnessed a progressively consultative approach on the part of Canada's Federal Government in the establishment and management of National Historic Sites and National Parks. Ten years ago, the first comprehensive claim involving northern Aboriginal peoples was settled with the Inuvialuit of the western Arctic. While CRM issues were not a significant concern in this claim, they have increased in importance to the point where sixteen pages of the Nunavut Final Agreement implementation contract are devoted to archaeology and its practice. The present parks Canada commitment to cultural resource co-management with local Aboriginal communities extends far beyond the northern claims areas, as witnessed by the range of initiatives outlined in this presentation.