The Registry of the Specific Claims Tribunal is constituted under the Specific Claims Tribunal Act (which came into force on October 16, 2008) to manage the administrative affairs of the Specific Claims Tribunal. The Tribunal is an adjudicative body with the express mandate of deciding First Nations' specific claims, including breaches of treaties, fraud, illegal dispositions, or inadequate compensation, related to reserve lands or other assets.

Although the Registry's offices are located in Ottawa, it provides services to the judiciary of the Tribunal and all interested First Nations and the Crown. The Registry provides administrative services to the judiciary, the legal profession, and the public. These services support the resolution of cases across Canada fairly, without delay, and with an efficient, effective, and economic application of resources. More specifically, the Registry is responsible for processing of specific claims, scheduling hearings, processing warrants, subpoenas, and writs, case and records management, systems management, provision of services in both official languages, and supporting judges of the Tribunal.

Treaty disputes have been an ongoing source of tension between First Nations and the federal government, and the Specific Claims Tribunal Act was developed jointly by the Assembly of First Nations and the Government of Canada as a means to quickly and fairly resolve most outstanding treaty grievances. This partnership is now extended to the development of recommendations related to the Tribunal's rules of practices and procedures.

Cooperation between First Nations and the Crown in the development, design, and drafting of the Specific Claims Tribunal Act represents a paradigm shift in relations, toward an overarching theme of respect for First Nations culture, traditions, and philosophy. It is a reminder of the importance and potential benefit that can accrue in seeking Aboriginal solutions to Aboriginal challenges.

These recent successes operate in a larger treaty dispute context of past broken promises, false starts, and mistrust. The Registry must ensure that administration of the Tribunal provides a process and results that are not only legitimate, but also perceived by First Nations as legitimate. To accomplish this, the Registry must respect and embrace Aboriginal cultural traditions in the administration of Tribunal operations nationally, and must work cooperatively with stakeholders to ensure that the spirit and intent of the legislation is fulfilled.