Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 04/02) - The Beaufort Delta Self-Government Negotiations office is hoping its new report on traditional governance will serve as a guide in the creation of new government structures and constitutions in the region.

Over 150 Gwich'in and Inuvialuit elders were interviewed for the research project, which took a year and a half to compile. The 73-page document outlines what elders knew of how the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit governed themselves historically.

Consensus decision-making, the importance of elders, and respect among community members were prominent aspects of governance highlighted in the report.

The document was dedicated to fieldwork researcher Florence Nasogaluak, who died of heart disease in 1999 at the age of 52. She was fluent in Inuvialuktun and conducted many of the interviews used in the report.

"She loved outdoor life, and she loved to talk with the elders," said sister Jean Gruben, who flew in from Tuktoyaktuk to attend the unveiling of the report Wednesday. "We're happy that they did this. An elder used to say, 'You know, we do a lot of work, but after we die, nobody thinks of us.' " Although Nasogaluak was not yet an elder when she died, her family is happy her work was recognized by the self-government office, Gruben says.

Gwich'in negotiator Lawrence Norbert says the report will provide valuable information for upcoming work on new constitutions. "It's a resource tool and we hope people will use it as that," Norbert said.