Historic agreement for Gwich'in
Memorandum of understanding on capacity building with Government of NWT
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Thursday, May 21, 2015
INUVIK
The Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) is the latest aboriginal government to sign an agreement with the government of the Northwest Territories on managing programs other than natural resources.
Premier Bob McLeod and President James Wilson signed a memorandum of understanding on capacity building between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Gwich'in Tribal Council on May 11. - photo courtesy of Roya Grinsted
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On May 11, Premier Bob McLeod and GTC President James Wilson signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on capacity building between the GNWT and the GTC.
A somewhat similar agreement was recently signed by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the GNWT, although that's not as comprehensive as this, nor as geared to internship programs.
"This MOU represents an historic investment in Gwich'in workers and will serve to create another strong foundation for partnership between the GTC and the GNWT," said Wilson.
The agreement is for a five-year term and commits both governments to explore internship opportunities for Gwich'in employees in the GNWT.
The parties will develop a joint internship pilot project that will provide for full-time employment opportunities with the GNWT for up to a maximum of nine Gwich'in workers. Interns will have the opportunity to gain work experience with the GTC and the GNWT for work placements of up to 12 consecutive months in each organization.
"Strong governments at all levels are critical to building a strong, prosperous territory that provides jobs and opportunities for all its residents," said McLeod in a news release.
"This agreement and our ongoing partnership with the Gwich'in Tribal Council will help strengthen both our governments and encourages the employment of Gwich'in in the public service and public agencies. We are committed to working together with the Gwich'in Tribal Council to advance our common goals of recruiting, improving and retaining capacity in the Northwest Territories."
The new agreement also follows on the heels of a separate agreement signed earlier this year between the GTC and the federal government.
The Gwich'in Internship Pilot Project will play a role in healthier, more self-sufficient and prosperous First Nation communities by creating job training opportunities. The project will provide Gwich'in participants year-long full-time internship positions within Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Gwich'in Tribal Council. The paid internships will prepare Gwich'in participants for jobs in the public service and provide them with professional work experience in a variety of government functions.
Each participant will receive a year-long, full-time job through paid work assignments with the federal department and the council. Both will hire three interns each year, beginning in September this year.
It will give the council the opportunity to employ trained experienced staff to implement its land claim agreement and to operate its governance institutions.
- with files from Andrew Livingstone
