Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 08/02) - The movers and shakers of the Beaufort Delta's self-government teams converged on Inuvik last week, to share their gripes and celebrate little victories made along the way.

A report on traditional governance was released to help people better understand the history of Gwich'in and Inuvialuit governance.

Three resolutions were passed at the end of the three-day conference.

Inuvik's Mayor Peter Clarkson moved a resolution to lobby the GNWT to begin construction on the new Aurora College campus "by whatever process they see necessary.

"Especially if money is going to be tight; we don't want to see it fall off the capital plan," Clarkson said. "The money has been committed and we need to continue pushing the territorial government to do what ever they can to get construction going."

Another resolution passed to extend signing authority to the president of the Gwich'in Development Corporation; the chair of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the regional co-ordinator of the Beaufort Delta Interim Regional Council, the chief negotiator of the Beaufort Delta Self-Government office, and the executive director of the Beaufort Delta Self Government office.

A third resolution was moved by Anna Mae MacLeod of Tsiigehchic to pressure the Department of Transportation to ensure that all communities have access to an emergency airstrip.

Most of the delegates voiced their frustration over the time it's taking to push though initiatives and felt they were always getting the same answers.

Co-chair Nellie Cournoyea said she understands their frustration, but being from Aklavik, she said, "never say die," and reminded the delegates that through perseverance great things can be accomplished and congratulated the communities on their achievements.

"It comes from pushing and pushing and pushing," Cournoyea said. "Sometimes we don't say 'thank you' enough and I would like to thank you all very much."