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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The GNWT has taken another step to improve relationships with aboriginal governments.

On Jan. 12 and 13 in Yellowknife, the territorial cabinet held government-to-government meetings with the Tlicho Government.

While there have been previous meetings between the two sides, the recent gathering was the first time all GNWT cabinet ministers and all Tlicho Government Executive Council members have met since the Tlicho Government was established six years ago.

"I think it was historic because the Tlicho are the first aboriginal government in the Northwest Territories to have settled both their land claim and also to have a self-government agreement," Premier Bob McLeod said of the meeting.

McLeod said it is important that the two sides have agreed to develop a government-to-government relationship and a memorandum of understanding on how to work together.

Senior officials have been directed to work together on the memorandum of understanding to formalize the relationship.

"This is an important development that sets the tone for our continued work toward a united and prosperous Northwest Territories," said McLeod. "We have committed to bilateral meetings with the entire cabinet and Tlicho Government leadership twice per year."

McLeod added a strong, independent North will be built on partnerships, and the GNWT is committed to working with the Tlicho Government as a key partner.

In a news release, Tlicho Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus said he is pleased the two governments could come together and discuss areas of mutual interest.

"The dialogue about some challenging issues and our exchange of viewpoints was done with respect to each other and our mutual jurisdictions," Erasmus said. "I look forward to making progress where possible and to our future and regular intergovernmental forums."

During the two-day meeting, the governments discussed a number of shared interests.

Both governments made presentations about devolution, with the GNWT providing arguments in favour of the devolution agreement-in-principle signed with the federal government and the Tlicho outlining concerns about that agreement.

"We wanted to make sure that everybody understood what was in the agreement," McLeod said. "Obviously, part of our objective is to find some common ground on all of these things, including devolution."

The premier said the Tlicho recognized devolution is a very important and complex issue, adding they indicated they need more time to review it among themselves.

McLeod noted the Tlicho Government also outlined what's in its self-government agreement regarding devolution of powers.

The GNWT also agreed to provide further information about the formula for funding community governments, and will consider establishing a Tlicho Government-GNWT working group to discuss options for improving the operation of Tlicho community governments.

There were also discussions about the GNWT's plan to introduce a new Wildlife Act. The GNWT will convene a meeting of aboriginal governments and continue to work with them through the Wildlife Act Working Group.

McLeod said the GNWT hopes to deal with the Wildlife Act issue within a year.

The Tlicho Government and GNWT also committed to continue working together on caribou management, housing, roads and the water strategy, along with collaborative efforts to support healthy living.

The recent meeting was the fourth time McLeod has met with the Tlicho leadership since he was elected premier last year.

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