The Little Red River Cree Nation (LRRCN) people have maintained a unique way of life in the boreal forest of northern Alberta for hundreds of years. In 1899, the LRRCN signed Treaty 8 with the Crown, which recognized the activities of hunting, fishing and trapping as subsistence rights. Since 1899, the Treaty 8 area has become a centre of resource development in Alberta, and development activities often threaten to impact the Treaty rights of the LRRCN. One way LRRCN has attempted to gain greater control over their traditional lands and minimize these impacts is through cooperative management. Recently, the Courts have also indicated that the Crown has a duty to consult with First Nations people when their rights may be impacted by resource development. This research evaluates if the cooperative management approach may discharge the duty to consult and accomplish the goals of Aboriginal community self-reliance and well being.