Modern Treaty and Self-Government Partners Meeting

Yellowknife (April 27, 2021) – Leaders from the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the five Indigenous governments with modern treaty and self-government agreements held their second meeting as the Modern Treaty and Self-Government Partners on April 23, 2021.
 
Leaders reinforced the importance of everyone who is eligible getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Leaders discussed a range of issues of mutual interest related to implementation of land, resources, and self-government agreements, including:
  • implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the NWT, especially Article 37 that states treaties and agreements must be respected, recognized, observed, and enforced;
  • working collaboratively on the implementation of the economic measures chapters in each of the respective land claim agreements and their periodic review;
  • engaging on the procurement review and development of an Indigenous procurement policy that ensures equitable opportunities for Indigenous governments and meets the parties’ obligations under their respective land claims;
  • opportunities for social and economic recovery and closing the gap following the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • opportunities for joint engagement with the federal government;
  • monitoring obligations under the modern treaty and self-government agreements; and
  • the importance of working together to keep northerners safe from COVID-19.
Members of the Modern Treaty and Self-Government Partners include: GNWT, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Gwich’in Tribal Council, and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
 
Leaders attending the meeting included:
  • Grand Chief George Mackenzie, Tłı̨chǫ Government
  • Chief Charlie Football, Tłı̨chǫ Government, Wekweètı̀
  • Chair/CEO Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
  • Chairperson Charles McNeely, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
  • Vice-Chairperson Sherry Hodgson, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
  • Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik, Gwich’in Tribal Council
  • Deputy Grand Chief Kristine McLeod, Gwich’in Tribal Council
  • Ɂekw’ahtı̨dǝ́ Leeroy Andre, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government
  • Deputy Ɂekw’ahtı̨dǝ́ Leonard Kenny, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government
  • Premier Caroline Cochrane
  • Minister Caroline Wawzonek, Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Department of Finance
Quick Facts
  • Strengthening relationships with Indigenous governments is a priority of the 19th Legislative Assembly.
  • The five NWT modern treaty and self-government agreements include:
    • Inuvialuit Final Agreement, 1984
    • Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, 1992
    • Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, 1994
    • Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, 2005
    • Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement, 2016
For more information, contact:
Todd Sasaki - Senior Communications Officer Government of the Northwest Territories 867-767-9168 ext. 15015
Elizabeth Kolb - Communications Advisor, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (867-777-7055)
Orlena Modeste - Executive Director Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated (867-589-4719)
Amber Keegan - Policy, Negotiations and Communications Specialist, Gwich’in Tribal Council (867-777-7900)
Laura Duncan - Tłı̨chǫ Executive Officer, Tłı̨chǫ Government (867-392-6381)
Paulina Roche - Chief Executive Officer, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government (867-589-8100, ext 106)

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