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TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON
As the Gwich'in meet in Fort McPherson this week for the Gwich'in Tribal Council's annual general assembly, one of the hottest topics is expected to be devolution.

More specifically, the GTC's new president, Robert Alexie Jr., says he is making it his mission to explain in plain language the GNWT's controversial plan to push through legislation this fall that would see the NWT gain province-like powers over its lands and resources effective April 1, 2014. This discussion is scheduled to take place on the third and final day of the 29th general assembly on Aug. 16.

On Aug. 9 Alexie said it was too soon to say how the GTC will move forward on devolution, adding he will wait to hear what people have to say at the assembly.

The GTC's motion to proceed with a lawsuit against the territorial government regarding a lack of consultation on the devolution process will also be under review at the assembly, said Alexie. That motion was tabled at last year's assembly.

"What I understand from travelling to the communities during the election and after the election, very few people have any idea what devolution means, not only in terms of a transfer of power over land and resources for the GNWT but, specifically, the fiscal arrangements in the agreement-in-principle," he said.

"Very few people understood it and, to be very frank with you, at the assembly last year I was somewhat taken aback that the (lawsuit) motion as it was drafted was tabled and supported without being fully explained to the people."

The way he understands it, under the land claim agreement, Gwich'in will get 7.5 per cent of resource royalties gained by the territorial government for projects on Gwich'in lands up to $2 million, which equates to $150,000. The GTC would then receive 1.5 per cent of any additional royalties beyond the $2-million mark, said Alexie.

Also, if devolution passes, the GNWT will receive 50 per cent of resource royalties in the NWT. Last year, that amounted to about $62 million, said Alexie. Of that 50 per cent, 25 per cent will be divided among the aboriginal groups in the territory who have signed on to the devolution agreement. The formula of how exactly that money would be divided will have to be decided by the First Nations groups, said Alexie.

However, Alexie points out that this information may not be complete.

"That's taken from an outside position because, as you know, we are not at the table," he said.

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