(NC) -- The federal government has settled hundreds of long-standing land claims and is rebuilding relationships with First Nations communities across Canada.

Since Canada began settling land claims in 1973, 390 claims have been settled, 108 of them since 2007 when the federal government launched its Specific Claims Action Plan. Fifteen claims have been settled with 14 First Nations communities from B.C. to Ontario over the past year resulting in $350 million in compensation with more settlements to follow in the coming months and years.

Starting in the late 1700s, Canadian and British governments entered into various treaties with First Nations across the country, which helped pave the way for the peaceful settlement and development of much of Canada. Many of those treaties are now being re-negotiated.

“A specific claim settlement honours the federal government's legal obligations and rights past wrongs,” says Anik Dupont, director general of Specific Claims with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. “All specific claim settlements are about justice, respect and reconciliation.”

Claims are being resolved through negotiated settlements between Ottawa, First Nations and some provinces. The claims are settled in cash and paid to First Nations communities so they can manage the money in a variety of ways, including buying new land on the open market, investing in new businesses, opening trust funds and reimbursing their members. Under the terms of the settlements, no Canadians will be forced to leave their existing property.

Many First Nation communities across Canada that have settled their claims now have thriving businesses, booming economies and zero unemployment, successes that ripple out into the region, the province and the rest of Canada but Dupont says it goes deeper than that.

“The process of working together on common solutions helps to build new relationships that all parties can benefit from in the future so that everyone wins. It's really in the best interest of all Canadians to find mutually acceptable ways to resolve these claims as they lead to new opportunities that bring long-term benefits to First Nation members.”

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada has posted information about specific land claims, answers to frequently asked questions, video success stories and an interactive map showing where claims have been settled at www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca.