Inuvik (Mar 22/04) - The Beaufort-Delta Regional Council says it wants more control, especially now that it has shed the word "Interim" from its name.

"This process is getting very complicated," said IRC Chair Nelly Cournoyea, during last week's council meeting. "The goal is to determine how we manage and deliver programs and services at the community level."

She said public involvement is key if effective changes are to be made.

"Communities can't sit back and think this is magically going to happen. We've got to dig for our deepest strengths."

One of the hurdles to self-government is forming bodies to take over responsibilities currently held by the region's health and social services authority, as well as the education council.

But Cournoyea said not many volunteers have stepped up to the plate thus far.

"There hasn't been a huge amount of response from people interested in being a part of forming a new Beaufort-Delta Health Board," she said.

Bob Simpson, Beaufort Delta self-government chief negotiator, pointing to the Dogrib's 10-year effort for formulating and implementing its self-government agreement, said the entire process for the Delta could take as long.

As things stand, he said the working plan is to have a complete final agreement for the Beaufort Delta in two years. The implementation and cost are unclear.

"It's going to be for the people to decide on that," he said. "And that's the purpose of these meetings."

Motions passed by the council at the recent gathering included asking the GNWT to examine, revise and implement policies that take into account cultural and palliative care needs of elders.

The council also asked the GNWT to change its policy in regard to fund allocations for initiatives that provide family assistance.

In addition, the council voted in favour of supporting the premier's position that the territory's name remain the same.