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INUVIK
The Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) met with Premier Bob McLeod behind closed doors this week to discuss a number of concerns in the region. Issues ranged from aboriginal education to the Peel River watershed.

Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) president Robert Alexie Jr., left, and Premier Bob McLeod were pleased with the outcomes from discussions between the GTC and the GNWT that occurred on Dec. 10 and 11 in Inuvik. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo

The gathering was the first meeting of its kind since the tribal council agreed to sign on to the territorial government's devolution agreement-in-principle in September.

"I think we had a very good discussion," said McLeod. "I certainly like the approach that the Gwich'in leadership is taking to be inclusive and to work with all levels of government and to work together within the region. I think it's going to result in some very positive outcomes."

The meeting was a result of an intergovernmental agreement between the GTC and the GNWT in which the two parties agreed to meet at least twice a year to discuss matters of concern. The document specified four topics for future discussion, including social programming, economic development, environmental issues and employment and job training.

According to tribal council president Robert Alexie Jr., the GTC and GNWT representatives were able to touch on each of those areas.

During the discussion, the parties considered opportunities to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region. The government also worked toward making good on a memorandum of understanding it signed earlier. The document stipulates that half of the dollar value of government contracts in the settlement region will go to Gwich'in business.

"We are well underway," McLeod said, referring to the MOU. "We provided all the information that we said we would and the Gwich'in are looking at all of the projects that we laid out for them and they're going to come back to us and we'll negotiate from there."

The tribal council also reiterated its position on the Peel River watershed and further addressed the issue with McLeod and the other cabinet ministers present. Currently, there is a dispute about how much of the watershed should be protected.

"We are in support of the Peel River watershed land use plan as it was developed by the commission and they call for 80 per cent protection, 20 per cent development so that's where we are," Alexie said. "A lot of people think we're in favour of 100 per cent protection but ... the assembly gave us direction to support the plan as is."

McLeod said the GNWT hasn't taken a position on the matter yet. More information has been requested and once it is received the government will review it and then decide how to get involved, he said.

The other major topic discussed was aboriginal student achievement. The parties focused on addressing attendance, inclusive schooling and post-secondary education.

The meeting was a success, McLeod said.

"I think we've reached understandings on certain areas, especially on the education side so I think that we're going to be able to find better ways of doing things," he said.

The parties have not set a date for their next meeting.

In the meantime, the process toward devolution continues. Alexie and vice-president Norman Snowshoe were in Ottawa recently to meet with representatives from the federal government to address the topic.

Devolution would give the NWT more province-like powers and control over land and resources.

The GTC was initially opposed to devolution and even launched a court case against the GNWT in January over an alleged lack of consultation on the issue. However, the council later dropped the case.

Alexie said talks on the subject have been going well.

"We're looking forward to the conclusion and taking it from there. It's a whole new beginning," he said.

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