This examination of non-renewable resource development & the sustainability of Aboriginal communities draws on the experience of Aboriginal people, governments, resource developers, and other key players. The Northwest Territories was selected as the focus of the study since it illustrates particularly well a set of complex issues that affect Aboriginal communities across Canada. The introduction reviews the opportunity offered by non-renewable resource development and the environmental, cultural, social, and political context in which such development is occurring. Section 2 outlines a vision for achieving sustainable Aboriginal communities over the next 10-25 years. Section 3 summarizes the profound political changes under way in the Territories and section 4 presents recommendations to ensure that the cumulative effects of past, present, & future development are properly managed. Section 5 turns to specific recommendations directed at improving the climate for investment & economic development in the Territories. Section 6 presents recommendations on capacity building and section 7 addresses the importance of consultation with Aboriginal people, proposing two measures to support Aboriginal involvement in consultation processes. The focus in section 8 shifts to recommendations intended to promote economic diversification and ensure that Aboriginal communities receive long-term benefits from non-renewable resource development. Section 9 reviews the debate about the free-entry system for mining in the Territories. Brief concluding comments are presented in section 10. Appendices include a list of background papers and a review of important complementary initiatives related to Aboriginal communities and non-renewable resource development.