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;
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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;
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opportunities for social and economic recovery and closing the gap following the COVID-19 pandemic;
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opportunities for joint engagement with the federal government;
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monitoring obligations under the modern treaty and self-government agreements; and
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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)
