Tłı̨chǫ Government Files Court Challenge to
Amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act
“Canada Cannot Ignore its Constitutional Promises”
May 8, 2014
For Immediate Release
Behchokǫ̀, NT – Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus announced today that the Tłı̨chǫ Government has filed a court challenge of Canada’s recently enacted amendments to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (“MVRMA”).
The MVRMA amendments were passed by Parliament on March 25, 2014 as part of Bill C-15, the Northwest Territories Devolution Act. The Tłı̨chǫ legal action claims that parts of the legislation, which attempt to dismantle the Wek'èezhìi Land and Water Board, breach of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement and the honour of the Crown and unjustifiably infringe Tłı̨chǫ treaty rights.
Wek'èezhìi, which lies at the heart of the traditional territory of the Tłı̨chǫ, is the recognized area for land and water management set out in the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement. The Wek'èezhìi Land and Water Board makes land and water decisions in the region with equal representation from Tłı̨chǫ and Canada’s appointees. It fulfills a key constitutional promise to the Tłı̨chǫ within the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement.
“We will protect Wek'èezhìi for as long as this land shall last. We can only do that if we are decision-makers and stewards in relation to Wek'èezhìi, today and into the future. Canada cannot simply ignore its constitutional promises to our people. We won’t allow it and its truly upsetting that we are forced into the courts in order to uphold the Crown’s honour,” said Grand Chief Erasmus.
Since its creation over a decade ago, the Wek'èezhìi Land and Water Board has been recognized as a success by local communities, industry and Canada itself. It has incorporated Tłı̨chǫ traditional knowledge and perspectives into its decision-making and was recently awarded the 2014 Council of the Federation Excellence in Water Stewardship Award. Yet, despite its success, Canada has chosen a path that attempts to destroy this important institution, an institution that is fundamental to the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement.
“The Tłı̨chǫ Government rejects Canada’s unilateral approach,” added Grand Chief Erasmus. “We are Canada’s treaty partner. We thought the days of the government in Ottawa thinking it ‘knows best’ about our lands, resources and future were over when we signed the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement. We won’t go back to the days when outsiders made decisions about our future and that of Wek'èezhìi.”
The Tłı̨chǫ Government is the governing authority within Tłı̨chǫ lands responsible for managing the rights and benefits provided under the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement. The Tłı̨chǫ Government has the power to pass and enforce its own laws, and has authority over the use, management, administration and protection of Tłı̨chǫ lands and renewable resources.
For all interview and media requests or for more information, please contact:
Henry Zoe
Tłı̨chǫ Government
(867) 446-0230
