SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Gwich'in representatives from Yellowknife and Whitehorse will have an official vote on matters before the Gwich'in Tribal Council at meetings starting next year.

At this year's assembly from Sept. 7 to 11, delegates passed a resolution to allow two representatives each from the Izhii K'aiikit Tat Gwich'in in the Yellowknife area and in the Yukon to vote.

Whitehorse delegate Esther Dobbs,left, and Rosie Simon celebrates their right to vote at Gwich'in Tribal Council assemblies by waving a Gwich'in flag. - photo courtesy of Gwich'in Tribal Council

These delegates have previously only been allowed to observe the meetings - which bring together Gwich'in from Inuvik, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson - though they have been working on achieving voting privileges since 2002, when they were first allowed to officially attend.

Esther Dobbs, a delegate from Whitehorse, reacted victoriously when the resolution passed.

"It took seven years. So for seven years we've sat on the sidelines as delegates," said Dobbs. "Now that we're delegates and we're able to sit at the table and not at the sidelines, we'll be able to voice our comments and concerns."

Dobbs said the 150 Gwich'in members of the Yukon, most of whom live in Whitehorse, have maintained a good working relationship with the Gwich'in Tribal Council and have continued to discuss their concerns, but having a vote makes their partnership more official.

Fred Koe, a Gwich'in from Yellowknife, said Gwich'in from outside the Mackenzie Delta have always wanted voting power during general assemblies.

"It's always an issue. We're people that are Gwich'in and, you know, we're participants of the claim but when it comes to the governance of the tribal council, we don't have a vote," he said. "It's good. We have a say now. Before we didn't."