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In 1965, on the recommendation of the Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources, the Committee of the Privy Council, via Order in Council 1005, established the Advisory Commission on the Development of Government in the Northwest Territories. The Commission headed by A.W.R. Carrothers, was commonly referred to as the Carrothers' Commission. The mandate of the Commission was to consider the political development of the Northwest Territories and to advise the Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources via a report. In 1966, after holding hearings in northern communities, the three-member commission recommended that the issue of dividing the Northwest Territories be further examined in 10 years.

In 1982, a plebiscite was held on the question of dividing the Northwest Territories. With the vote in favour of creating Nunavut, it became apparent that with division, two new governments would be established, one in the east and one in the west. Consequently, the Constitutional Alliance Committee, made up of the Nunavut Constitutional Forum and the Western Constitution Forum was created. The Constitutional Alliance ceased operations in 1990. However, a group of political leaders including MLAs, elected officials and ministers, leaders of the Dene Nation, the Metis Nation, the Gwich'in Regional Council and the Sahtu Regional Council, believed it was important that the Constitutional work continue.

In the spring of 1991, the Committee of Political Leaders, an informal group composed of representatives from the Government of the Northwest Territories and the major Indigenous organizations, gave the Commission for Constitutional Development a mandate to develop a comprehensive constitutional proposal for those regions of the Northwest Territories remaining after the creation of Nunavut for consideration by way of a plebiscite. The Commission was funded by the Government of the Northwest Territories through a contribution agreement.

Commission members included Jim Bourque (Chairperson), Richard Hardy, George Braden, Les Carpenter, Francois Paulette, and Bertha Allen. Four members and chairperson were appointed by the Committee of Political Leaders and one member was appointed by the Western members of the Legislative Assembly.

The Commission for Constitutional Development was Incorporated under the Societies Act in August 1991. Its objectives were: (a) To co-ordinate, manage and direct the financial affairs and organized public activities of its members in the development of a constitution for a government to be created in the western part of the Northwest Territories. (b) To initiate and co-ordinate independent research into topics related to political and constitutional development. (c) To prepare discussion papers and other background materials for dissemination to the public. (d) To solicit opinions and responses from the public and individuals on constitutional and political issues. (e) To prepare proposals for political and constitutional development and to print materials on constitutional issues for the public at large. (f) To initiate and co-ordinate public meetings and discussions on matters of political and constitutional development throughout the western part of the Northwest Territories. (g) To take such further action as the Commission deems appropriate to accomplish its objectives.

The Commission released a discussion paper “How Can We Live Together?” in the fall of 1991, to provide background information and stimulate debate. The first round of community hearings took place during November-December 1991. Funding was provided to interest groups to prepare submissions. The Commission released an interim report in February 1992, summarizing what had been heard so far and outlining ideas and recommendations. The second round of community hearings took place during March-April 1992. The Commission’s final report was released on April 24, 1992 and is known as the "Bourque Report".

No further work was undertaken and by late 1992, the Commission was in the process of wrapping up its affairs and requesting direction from the Committee of Political Leaders. Following a letter of direction from the Chairman of the Western Caucus of the Legislative Assembly, Fred Koe, the Commission made an extraordinary resolution to dissolve the Commission effective March 31, 1993. The work of developing a constitution and governmental structure for the Western part of the Northwest Territory was continued by the Committee of Political Leaders, which was renamed the Constitutional Development Steering Committee and expanded to include the original six Indigenous leaders, the fourteen western MLAs, a representative of women’s organizations, and three representatives of the Association of Western Tax Based Municipalities.

In 1991, a group known as the Committee of Political Leaders was involved in setting the terms of reference for the Commission for Constitutional Development (Bourque Commission), which presented its report in April 1992. In February 1993, the Committee of Political Leaders and the Western Caucus of the Legislative Assembly met and decided to expand the original Committee, creating the Constitutional Development Steering Committee.

Membership included the 14 members of the Western Caucus of the Legislative Assembly, three members from the Association of Western Tax-based Municipalities, and one representative each from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Sahtu Tribal Council, Metis Nation NWT, Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, women’s organizations (NWT Native Women’s Association and NWT Status of Women’s Council), and later, the South Slave Metis Tribal Council. The Deh Cho Tribal Council and Treaty 8 Tribal Council had the option to be involved as members but withdrew in favour of pursing their own processes.

The Constitutional Development Steering Committee Management Society was incorporated in May 1994. The Society was created to implement the decisions of the Constitutional Development Steering Committee and coordinate financial affairs, research, and public activities.

The Management Society was composed of members of the CDSC, including the chairperson, first vice-chairperson, and second vice-chairperson, who would function as the President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Management Society. The Bylaws of the Management Society also provided for a staff Secretariat headed by an Executive Director. Steve Iveson was the first Executive Director, followed by Charles McGee, Sharon Hall, and Fred Koe.

The CDSC operated independently of the government. Its aim was to work towards establishing a constitution and government structure for the western territory left after Nunavut was created in the east. Funding was sought from the federal and territorial governments. Small amounts received in 1993 allowed the CDSC member groups to produce a set of research reports outlining their ideas on constitutional reform. In 1994, with additional funding from the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government, the Constitutional Development Steering Committee organized community information meetings to prepare for the “First Constitutional Conference,” which took place in January 1995. The Conference brought together people from all 34 western Northwest Territories communities to discuss their ideas, discover areas of common ground, explore differences of opinion and identify where there was more work to accomplish. The Conference produced a twenty-two point emerging consensus that confirmed many of the principles and recommendations of the Iqaluit Agreement and the Bourque Commission. The Conference stressed the importance of proceeding with constitutional development and self-government as a parallel process.

With little additional funding available through 1995, the CDSC assembled summary reports of work completed and cooperated with the Aboriginal Summit. The activities of the CDSC concluded in early 1996.

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations (DAAIR) formed in 2006-2007 when the Department of Aboriginal Affairs gained the intergovernmental relations function from the Department of Executive. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs had also been responsible for devolution and resource revenue functions, however with the formation of the DAAIR, these functions remained with the Executive.

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations was the central agency that supported the Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. The Department managed and coordinated the participation of the GNWT in all land, resource and self-government negotiations. It was also responsible for negotiating and developing implementation plans and providing strategic advice on Aboriginal and Intergovernmental Relations in the NWT, Canada and internationally.

The Department consisted of five divisions: the Directorate Division, Negotiations Division, Implementation Division, Intergovernmental Relations Division and Policy, Legislation and Communications Division. The Directorate Division managed the internal operations of the Department. It was responsible for providing strategic advice and support to the Minister and the Department. In addition to internal management responsibilities, the Directorate provided strategic advice and support to the Minister and the Department on political and constitutional development, and on Intergovernmental relations with Aboriginal leaders and organizations territorially, nationally and internationally. It also coordinated the financial and business planning for the Department. The Directorate helped to support Aboriginal organizations through and grants and contributions program that provides core funding to Métis Locals, funding to Aboriginal organizations for special events such as Aboriginal Day, and funding to municipalities to allow for planning and participation in self-government negotiations.

The Negotiations Division participated in land, resource and self-government negotiations, as well as treaty land entitlement negotiations that were active within the NWT. It was responsible for representing the interests of the GNWT at each table, as well as the interests of all NWT residents. In self-government negotiations, territorial jurisdiction or law-making authorities and the programs and services are under negotiation. New systems of governance emerged into the northern political landscape as agreements were finalized and implemented. There were new regional and community systems of governance, some representing a combination of Aboriginal and public governments, while others the creation of Aboriginal government only. As of 2007-2008, there were five Aboriginal organizations negotiating self-government agreements with Canada and the GNWT: the Gwich’in Tribal Council; the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation; the Deline First Nation; Tulita Yamoria Secretariat; and the Norman Wells Land Corporation. All five groups reached a final land claims agreement.

The Implementation Division was responsible for negotiating implementation plans, and managing and monitoring the implementation of settled land, resource and self-government agreements. The process for negotiating or developing an implementation plan varied depending on the particular interests of the three parties at the negotiation table. Terms of reference are usually developed first to guide the start up of an implementation working group. The working group consists of representatives from the GNWT, Federal government and Aboriginal claimant group and is responsible for identifying all activities and obligations flowing from the agreement-in-principle. After a final agreement and other corollary agreements, including the implementation plan, received Royal Assent in the House of Commons, a formal Implementation Committee is established to oversee, direct and monitor ongoing implementation of the agreement. This committee is comprised of representatives form the GNWT, Canada and Aboriginal claimant group. The Committee is also responsible for reviewing or amending the implementation plan as required. As for 2007-2008, there are three implementation plans being carried out in the NWT: Gwich’in Implementation Plan, Sahtu Implementation Plan and Tlicho Implementation plan. Implementation plans are being negotiated at Deline self-government. Progress reports are published to keep beneficiaries and the public informed. The implementation committee produces annual reports and other information items to report on the status of each plan.

The Intergovernmental Relations Division ensured the interests and aspirations of the residents of the NWT are reflected in the GNWT participation in intergovernmental activities. This division is responsible for managing the Government’s relationships with federal, provincial and territorial governments and with circumpolar countries in all matters of intergovernmental significance. It provides strategic advice on matters pertaining to federal-provincial-territorial relations and in domestic matters that have intergovernmental or government-wide implications. Participation ranged from involvement in national initiatives and policy development, to initiating and developing cross-departmental strategies, to shaping strategies led by other GNWT departments.

The Policy, Legislation and Communications Division developed public and internal policies and legislative proposals for the Department. The division also provides advice to the Minister and Deputy Minister, and developed instructions and mandates for the GNWT’s participation in negotiating land, resource and self-government agreements and implementation plans. This division also provides support to GNWT negotiators, participates in central agency review of legislative proposals and is responsible for the overall Department communications. The Policy and Legislation section of this division developed frameworks (instructions and mandates) for the GNWT in the negotiation of Aboriginal land, resource and self-government agreements and associated implementation plans. Frameworks are based on directions and interests of the GNWT, research and comparative analysis of existing, emerging and settled Aboriginal land, resource and self-government agreements. The Policy section also provided support to the Negotiations and Implementation Divisions during negotiation of agreements, development and negotiation of associated implementation plans, and agreement implementation. The Policy section develops legislation arising from GNWT commitments made in the negotiation of land, resource and self-government agreements. The section was also responsible for maintaining current public and internal policy statements of the Department. Advice, information and assistance is provided to the Minister and Deputy Minister, which includes briefings related to the Legislative Assembly and meetings with federal, provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal leaders an organizations and for other meetings the Minister or Deputy Minister may attend. The Policy and Legislation Section provides support to the Deputy Ministers’ Committee on Aboriginal Rights, which is chaired by the Deputy Minister of DAAIR. It also participates in the Legislative Initiatives Committee’s review of all legislative initiatives from all GNWT departments. The Communications section was responsible for the Department’s overall communication efforts. It developed, recommended and implemented communication projects, strategies, frameworks and systems within the Department. It also contributed to the fulfillment of GNWT communication and consultation obligations that arise from land, resource and self-government negotiations, implementation negotiations and finalized agreements.

On April 1, 2017, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations merged with the Department of the Executive to form the Department of the Executive and Indigenous Affairs (EIA).

The Directorate Division managed the internal operations of the Department. It was responsible for providing strategic advice and support to the Minister and the Department. In addition to internal management responsibilities, the Directorate provided strategic advice and support to the Minister and the Department on political and constitutional development, and on Intergovernmental relations with Aboriginal leaders and organizations territorially, nationally and internationally. It also coordinated the financial and business planning for the Department. The Directorate helped to support Aboriginal organizations through and grants and contributions program that provides core funding to Métis Locals, funding to Aboriginal organizations for special events such as Aboriginal Day, and funding to municipalities to allow for planning and participation in self-government negotiations.