Indigenous leaders and leaders from the GNWT gathered on June 17 and 18 in Behchoko to talk about the importance of working together in what they say is a time of “uncertainty” where the world is “changing rapidly.”
Leaders discussed a number of key issues including concerns about the Jordon’s Principle program, education, strengthening community learning opportunities, the need to make Indigenous languages a priority, inclusion of NWT Indigenous businesses and concerns around the housing crisis as well as environmental concerns.
“Leaders discussed the impacts of climate change and needs related to infrastructure as winter road seasons shorten, water levels are lowering, and as temperatures rise. They also discussed wildfire mitigation and prevention including fire smarting efforts, and the actions and opportunities for collaboration within the 2023 Wildfire after action review. Leaders discussed both international security and the safety of people within NWT communities,” said the council in an announcement today.
The discussions brought forward several points of agreement including a shared vision that Canada’s Arctic and northern presence must be rooted in healthy, connected, and prepared Northern communities.
“Leaders will continue to work together to ensure the NWT is equipped and prepared to respond to the complex challenges and opportunities emerging across the arctic and north of Canada. These include the impacts of tariffs in NWT communities where the cost of living and of building is already high. Leaders encouraged Premier Simpson to keep the impacts to northerners at the forefront in his participation in discussions at the national level,” said the council in a joint statement issued in the announcement.
Indigenous governments and the GNWT along with RCMP will continue to work collaboratively to respond to concerns about illicit drugs and illegal firearms and their impacts in the communities and throughout the NWT.
Council members asserted that they plan to advocate for northerners with the federal government.
The NWT Council of Leaders explained the forum is a platform where leaders have an opportunity to discuss and address territory-wide social and economic issues that invovle all member governments. The forum also makes possible meaningful partnerships between Indigenous and GNWT leaders, consistent with the principles of Reconciliation.
Leaders who joined this year’s gathering included Chief Eugene Hope of Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Sub-Chief Juni Gahdele of the Łutselk’e Dene First Nation, Ɂekw’ahtı dǝ́Danny Gaudet of the Délı nę Got’ı nę Government, Deputy Ɂekw’ahtı Raymond Taneton of the Délı nę Got’ı nę Government, Leonard Kenny, DKK Member of the Délı nę Got’ı nę Government, Gina Dolphus, DKK Member of the Délı nę Got’ı nę Government, Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr. of the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Chief Elaine Auger of the Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Chief Steve Vital of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band, Councillor Eric Matou of Nahanni Butte Dene Band, Councillor Marlene Matou of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band, President Marc Whitford of the North Slave Métis Alliance, President Garry Bailey of the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Vice President Paul Harrington of the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Chair Charles McNeely of the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon of the Sahtu Dene First Nation, Chief Toni Heron of the Salt River First Nation, Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty of the Tłı chǫ Government, Chief Doreen Arrowmaker of the Tłı chǫ Government, Chief Adeline Football of the Tłı chǫ Government, Premier R.J. Simpson, Deputy Premier Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Lesa Semmler, Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister Vince McKay and Minister Lucy Kuptana.
The Northwest Territories Council of Leaders Memorandum of Understanding was signed by leadership in June 2021. The MOU’s four year term and will be under review in 2025.
Signatories assert that the council has helped to strengthen intergovernmental relationships between Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations with the GNWT and the mobilization of shared priorities.
Signatories to the NWT Council of Leaders include the Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Akaitcho Dene First Nations, Délı nę Got’ı ne Government, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Nahanni Butte Dene Band, North Slave Métis Alliance, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Salt River First Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Inc., Tłı chǫ Government, and the Government of the N.W.T.
True North FM reached out to leadership for more details about the forum’s discussion and will share those in a follow up story.
