Intergovernmental Council Meeting held in Yellowknife

11 September, 2018

Intergovernmental Council Meeting held in Yellowknife

September 11, 2018 (YELLOWKNIFE) – Leaders from the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Indigenous governments, who are partners in Devolution, met in Yellowknife today to discuss a range of issues related to lands and resource management at the Intergovernmental Council meeting

As a key feature of the Devolution Agreement, the creation of an Intergovernmental Council allows governments to cooperate and collaborate on matters related to lands and resource management. The meetings help strengthen the territorial government’s relationships with the NWT Indigenous partners, a main priority of the 18th Legislative Assembly.

Leaders from the GNWT, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Salt River First Nation, Denínu Kų́ę́ First Nation and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation were involved in the meeting and discussed a range of lands, water and resources issues including the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, the federal Arctic Policy Framework, and collaborative drafting of territorial legislation.

The Intergovernmental Council discussed the progress on the development of the Arctic Policy Framework and emphasized the need to ensure that there is a focus on Aboriginal rights and the role of the GNWT, as well as significant new federal investment seen in the Northwest Territories.

At the December 2017 IGC meeting, there was a commitment for IGC partners to work collaboratively toward holding an Economic Symposium, which is now planned for October 1-3rd in Inuvik. The Symposium, supported by resource revenues from the IGC, will explore the state of the resource economy and opportunities for development.

The IGC also recommended the establishment of a forum with the Premier and appropriate ministers to deal with social envelope issues such as housing, education and health between the GNWT and Indigenous governments.

The Intergovernmental Council will prioritize the finalizing an IGC Strategic Plan and will direct funds to support the ongoing work of the Intergovernmental Council.

For more information, contact:

Todd Sasaki

Senior Communications Officer
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-767-9151 ext. 14032

Bob Simpson
Director of Government Affairs

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

867-777-7040

Ursula Vogt

Executive Director

Northwest Territory Métis Nation

867-872-2770

Orlena Modeste

A/Executive Director