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INUVIK
A national self-government conference, sponsored by the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) in Inuvik, explored how the Gwich'in people can achieve a formal self-government agreement with the federal and territorial governments, and examined how to engage its youth in the process last week.

Norman Snowshoe, the vice-president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, was the moderator of a discussion on self-government during the morning of Sept. 10. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Norman Snowshoe, vice-president of the GTC, said the organization hopes to have some kind of agreement in place in the "next seven to 10 years."

Chief Math'ieya Alatini of the Kluane First Nation applauded that initiative, but also advised the audience that's only the beginning of the process.

Alatini said 11 of 14 aboriginal groups in the Yukon now have self-government. Her people are approaching the 10-year anniversary of achieving self-government, but that was the "easy part."

"Now the work begins," she said. "It took a long time to get to it, but now we have to define how it feels to us, and what self-government means.

"We asked for it, and now we've got it," she added. "We're almost 10 years into it."

Alatini said her experience with self-government indicates that it's necessary to keep pushing people to strive for more than the status quo, particularly the youth. If you ask tough questions and demand more of them, people will raise the bar and expect more of themselves.

"People thrive under tough expectations," she said.

For the Kluane First Nation, Alatini said the process has been centred on promoting sustainability of all kinds, including social and economic.

On Sept. 11, keynote speaker Matthew Coon Come, the Grand Chief and Chair of the Grand Council of the Crees, echoed Alatini's comments.

"The test of any self-government agreement is in its implementation," he said.

Coon Come said that had been a problem in his home province of Quebec, where self-government agreements were signed but not properly put into operation.

He said the goal should be to "translate our historic reliance on the land" into a more modern form.

NWT Premier Bob McLeod said while the GNWT doesn't have a formal role in self-government talks due to it being a federal responsibility, he said there's an obligation to participate to achieve the best results for all.

"When the Gwich'in leadership first approached us to help sponsor this conference, we were very pleased to do so. I think the NWT has a very good story to tell and also can show the rest of Canada how to do things up here. The negotiation of land claims and self-government will be an example of how to do it in the rest of Canada.

"Over the years, some of my colleagues have said we shouldn't be involved at all, but I think for us we feel that we have a responsibility, and all levels of government have a responsibility, to make sure that when we negotiate self-government agreements, that it's successful and it works," McLeod said. "Once all the land claims and self-government agreements are settled, we all have to work together and have a part to play in having a sustainable and prosperous NWT."

McLeod said self-government "becomes more clear the more we negotiate."

"I think that there are lots of misunderstandings as to what self-government will look like, (those are) part of the challenges, along with financing. Some feel that once aboriginal self-government comes into play, that they no longer have a responsibility, while others feel that it's still part of the relationship. You have to be mindful of the finances, but you also want structures that are affordable."

As the meeting concluded Sept. 12, Fred Koe, the chief operating officer of the GTC, said it was a successful event.

"I think we achieved our objectives," he said.

Koe said elders and youth from around the Gwich'in Settlement Area spoke at the conference. He added there had been a good mix of activities, particularly the on-the-land workshops for the youth at Jak Territorial Park.

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