Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 31/01) - Delegates at the 18th annual general assembly of the Gwich'in Tribal Council voted to open up the possibility of having some funds within the Gwich'in Settlement Corporation investment fund be managed by another firm.

Currently the entire fund is managed by a CIBC affiliate.

Chief Charlie Furlong of the Ehditat Gwich'in Council in Aklavik said the GTC's finance committee has heard it's not uncommon to divest a portfolio, and that such a move could be beneficial.

Earlier delegates heard a presentation from Kerry Harty, vice-president with Royal Investment Services.

In an interview tribal council president Fred Carmichael said the motion allows the board to look at various companies, and that probably half the fund will be divested to another firm (if a second firm is chosen).

Other motions

Delegates passed a motion opposing proposed residency amendments in Bill 12, which would amend the NWT Wildlife Act. If the amendment becomes law, residency requirements for hunting would drop from two years to six months.

Also, delegates passed a resolution pledging financial and political support to organizations trying to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

A motion was also passed calling upon GTC leaders to provide information to beneficiaries about council activities regarding oil and gas development in the Delta.

Royalties discussed

Delegates discussed the roughly $8 to $9 million dollars the GTC is to receive from the federal government in royalties.

The Sahtu are to receive roughly the same amount. Furlong explained the Sahtu questioned Ottawa regarding their royalty clause pertaining to Norman Wells development. The Sahtu and the Gwich'in took Ottawa to court over the issue.

Furlong explained that the Gwich'in are receiving about the same amount as the Sahtu, as their land claims are very similar.

Delegates approved a motion authorizing the tribal council to lobby the federal government to grant government status to the GTC, thus the council would not lose any of the upcoming royalties to taxes.

After the meeting Carmichael said delegates offered GTC leaders several ways they could spend the royalty funds.