NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The Tlicho Government took a seat at the devolution negotiating table on Feb. 28 when it announced it will sign the agreement-in-principle.
"We have the right to be involved in the implementation of the devolution agreement, therefore, we needed to be involved in the AIP," Tlicho Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus said.
He said he believes the agreement will be beneficial.
"It means we would have a stronger and better government relationship with the GNWT," he said. "It will benefit the Tlicho Government and Tlicho communities overall."
As part of the devolution deal, aboriginal governments that sign on could get a share of up to 25 per cent of the territory's resource revenues, according to the GNWT.
"Although resource revenues vary each year, in 2012 participating aboriginal governments would have shared about $16.25 million if devolution was in place," the website stated.
Erasmus said further negotiations about how revenues will be divided will continue.
"This is something that would have to be worked out once we're
at the table," he said.
Premier Bob McLeod said the Tlicho Government's signing of the AIP is "significant."
"The importance is we have all of the aboriginal governments that had settled land claims are now partners in devolution," he said.
The Tlicho has had its own land, government and resource agreement since 2005 when the Tlicho Land Claims and Self-government Agreement was signed.
So far, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the NWT Metis Nation, the Gwich'in Tribal Council, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and now the Tlicho Government have signed the devolution AIP.
Only the Dehcho First Nation and the Akaitcho First Nation have not yet agreed.
McLeod said while it's early to say what might happen, there is a possibility the groups could sign on after the deal is finalized.
"We still haven't finalized our resource revenue sharing agreement with our aboriginal government partnerships," he said. "Depending on the outcome of that I expect that, in my view, we should probably keep it open so they can sign on."
McLeod said that could possibly involve setting a deadline for remaining groups.
"The other possibility is there would be a limited period for them to sign on and if they don't, I guess there would probably be the loss of some resources," he said.
McLeod said he is hopeful they will both agree.
He said he has had discussions with Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian and also soon plans to meet with the Akaitcho First Nation.
"We're talking about having a leadership forum where we can address some of their concerns as well," he said.
McLeod would not reveal what the transfer of power might look like when the devolution deal is finalized.
Territorial leaders expressed concern earlier this year that the territory would inherit "delegated authority" over the environmental regulation rather than full power, which would mean the territory would have to implement federal legislation.
McLeod said that has been worked out, but it could not be made public until the deal was finalized.
"We're not prepared to announce it until we have a finalized deal," he said.
In February 2012, the Gwich'in Tribal Council launched a Supreme Court action against the GNWT and the federal government.
The council stated the action was because it was not adequately consulted about the AIP process. That action was dropped in September when the GTC chose to sign the
AIP.
McLeod said if either the Dehcho or the Akaitcho First Nation decided to sue, he doesn't believe it would delay the devolution process.
"We've been keeping them informed every step of the way," he said. "That doesn't prevent anybody from going to court if they choose to do so."
The Tlicho Government is scheduled to officially sign the agreement at a ceremony in Behchoko on March 8.
Devolution is scheduled to be implemented by April 2014. McLeod said he believes the transfer date will be met.
- with files
from Sara Wilson
