HAY RIVER - The Northwest Territory Metis Nation (NWTMN) passed a number of resolutions at its annual general assembly late last month in Hay River.

Among the highlights of the approved resolutions were:

• The assembly supported forming a Renewable Resources Board to manage wildlife, wildlife habitat, migratory birds and plants and trees with respect to the harvesting rights of its members. The board would make recommendations to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR). The Metis Nation's current executive and board of directors would constitute the renewable resources board until a separate board is formed.
• The assembly is requesting ENR properly consult it on proposed changes to the Wildlife Act and regulations. It also wants the department to provide funding for the Metis Nation to fully participate in consultations.
• The assembly wants to know who is applying for and receiving federal land leases. Currently, the names are not released due to privacy concerns by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
• Delegates called on the assembly to develop a water policy and a policy on traditional knowledge use.
• The assembly was called upon to develop a five-year strategic plan.
• NWTMN leadership was directed to communicate the organization's interest to Parks Canada in withdrawing land in the proposed Thaidene Nene national park reserve in the East Arm of Great Slave Lake.
• Delegates called on the GNWT to provide civic leave to indigenous Metis employees to attend annual general assemblies of the NWTMN.
• The assembly voted to express its dissatisfaction with the GNWT over the standard of education and the practice of social passing, and requested an increase in the availability of tutoring for elementary and secondary students.

A controversial proposed resolution was tabled to be reconsidered at a later date.

It called for the North Arm Metis Council in Yellowknife to be allowed to send voting delegates, not just non-voting delegates, to annual general assemblies.

The resolution would have amended the NWTMN's constitution and bylaws to allow the North Arm Metis Council to have full participation as a designated council.

However, concern was raised about how greater involvement by the North Arm Metis Council would affect the NWTMN's governance, resources and land negotiations with the federal government and the GNWT.

"This kind of a resolution would change everything that we've done for the last 13 years," said Garry Bailey, president of the Fort Resolution Metis Council, noting the NWTMN has received legal advice on the matter.

Melody McLeod of the North Arm Metis Council said its intent has never been

to include Yellowknife as a fourth community in the NWTMN.

"We're not looking for designation as a community, but as a designated council," she said. "There's a big difference between the two."

The matter was deferred to the NWTMN's next board meeting.

"There's no rush to push it through today," McLeod said.

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