Project Snapshot
| Category | Details |
| Client | Government of Canada / Gwich’in Tribal Council |
| Project Name | Gwich’in Land Claim Boundary Survey |
| Location | Northwest Territories & Yukon |
| Date | 1993–1995 |
Project Overview
Introduction
Between 1993 and 1995, Underhill completed six survey contracts in support of the Gwich’in Land Claim Agreement. The work established legal boundaries for over 24,000 km² of settlement land in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
Project Background
The Gwich’in Land Claim Agreement, signed in 1991, provided the Gwich’in people with:
- 22,422 km² of land in the Northwest Territories
- 1,554 km² of land in the Yukon
- Rights to co-manage land use, wildlife, and environmental regulations
- Exclusive wildlife harvesting rights
- $75 million in financial compensation over 15 years
- A share of western NWT resource royalties
This was a major step toward Indigenous land recognition in northern Canada.
Survey Scope
Underhill’s role involved:
- Boundary surveying for all designated Gwich’in settlement areas
- Cadastral data capture for official land registry
- Use of CAD and digital modeling for data submission
- Coordination with federal agencies and the Gwich’in Tribal Council
Each contract delivered legally recognized boundary data for incorporation into official land title systems.
Project Impact
- Supported formal land transfer to the Gwich’in people
- Contributed to long-term stewardship and management of traditional territory
- Advanced reconciliation through technical expertise and Indigenous collaboration
- Delivered legally compliant data for Canada Lands Survey Records
