Inuvik (Apr 04/03) - The leaders of the Beaufort Delta met last week in Inuvik to meet with government to discuss a wide range of topics and to pass resolutions.

The Beaufort Delta Interim Regional Council (BDIRC) met March 25 to 27 to review the progress of self-government, utilities, lands and numerous social programs.

Inuvik Native Band sub chief Barry Greenland grilled Justice Minister Roger Allen on the new facility in Yellowknife and the new one built here, when there are only two drug and alcohol treatment facilities in the NWT.

"(Inmates) are living in luxury," Greenland said. "We have services in these communities that are very minimal and they have a hard time getting funding."

"There is so much that needs to be done and yet I see so much money going into corrections," he said. "We are spending way too much money on making these inmates comfortable."

"They're benefiting a lot by committing a crime," he said.

Assistant Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Chuck Parker attended the meeting for Minister Michael Miltenberger, who was in Edmonton for the George Jones concert.

Parker reviewed the plan to establish a new health board in the Sahtu.

"The people in the Sahtu region are interested in taking on their own responsibility for managing their own programs and services," Parker said.

"It's related to self-government and the interest of the region to take control of the various functions that they have there."

Parker said the new board will not take funds away from the existing board.

"The minister has made the commitment that it's not intended to take away from Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services (board)," Parker said.

Parker said just how the separate board will be funded still needs to be addressed and they have not yet determined what incremental costs will be.

"There will be a different arrangement, because in the Beaufort Delta you have a large hospital that is fairly expensive to operate," he said.

Resolutions

There were five resolutions passed at the end of the conference.

-The members decided the new Sahtu health board presents an opportunity to examine the current system of providing health care in the Delta and they will offer a voice to the communities in the new structure. There will be a board member from each of the nine communities.

-The communities resolved that the current rate increase by NTPC does not represent the best interests of the Beaufort Delta and they call upon the government to work out a solution fair for all communities.

-They resolved to offer youth leadership training programs towards to help implement the Beaufort Delta Self-Government Agreement.

-The group resolved that the GNWT should negotiate and transfer commissioner's lands to community governments upon their request.

-It was resolved that three members of the BDIRC be appointed to a governance modelling team to help implement the self-government agreement.