This Act establishes a surface rights board as an institution of public government, whose purpose is to resolve matters in dispute relating to terms and conditions of access to Aboriginal groups' lands and the waters overlying these lands, primarily for a commercial purpose, and the compensation to be paid in respect of that access. The Act defines the following relevant terms: minerals, as precious and base metals, and any other non-living, naturally occurring substances including coal, oil and gas; designated land; non-designated land; gas; regulatory authority; oil; settlement area; wildlife. The Act also concerns the representatives of any Aboriginal group that has entered into an agreement in relation to the Northwest Territories. The Act covers the following matters: continuation and organisation of the surface rights board; respect of Aboriginal traditional knowledge and experience; legal proceedings; application and hearings to resolve disputes; right to explore land for development or production of minerals; existing rights; harvesting activity; payment before exercise of right of access.