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    NNSL Photo/Graphic

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    Caucus retreats to the bush

    Dez Loreen
    Northern News Services
    Published Thursday, August 28, 2008

    INUVIK - Floyd Roland is back in town this week and he brought all of his Yellowknife friends with him.

    The legislative assembly caucus is meeting this week for their annual retreat getaway.

    NNSL Photo/Graphic

    Premier Floyd Roland is in town wearing his Boot Lake MLA hat this week. Roland joined his fellow caucus members for their annual retreat. This year, the gathering took place at the newly built Gwich'in wellness camp located in the Mackenzie delta. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

    Roland said a battery of meetings and discussions will take place at the gathering. The premier arrived in town on Sunday afternoon to catch up on work around the Inuvik office.

    The Gwich'in wellness camp was chosen as the site for this year's retreat.

    Roland explained the venue is chosen by the members of the caucus and is different every year.

    "We do like to get out from the main areas like Yellowknife or Inuvik," he said.

    He added the remote location lends itself to the idea of focused discussion.

    Roland and the caucus members arrived at the camp on Monday night and returned Thursday morning.

    "The goal is to stay at the location, have our meetings, then return from there," said Roland.

    He explained it was the responsibility of caucus chair Wendy Bisaro to make an agenda for the meeting.

    "One of the bigger topics will be about consensus governments and as well as looking at the selection of premier and ministers for the next election," said Roland.

    "I'm not sure where the discussions will go."

    Roland said once the sessions at the camp are done, the results of the meetings will be made public.

    "We will report on any decisions that were made," he said on Monday afternoon.

    He said the caucus meeting is one where all members, regardless of cabinet position or portfolios can meet on the same level and discuss matters in front of the assembly.

    "We will all have our say and input, and go from there," he said.

    "In caucus, I am there as a member from Inuvik Boot Lake. We're all equals."

    At the end of the two-and-a-half-day retreat, Roland said he wants to see the results of the discussions about consensus government.

    "Is it working, how does it work, can we make it better?" he said.

    "We want ways to strengthen our assembly."

    He added he is eager to see the results of discussions about the selection of premiers and ministers.

    "This discussion is a timely one," he said.