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Sahtu Land Use Plan launched Sahtu Secretariat Inc. celebrates 20th anniversary of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 2, 2013
TULITA/FORT NORMAN
The Sahtu Land Use Plan was presented to delegates during the annual Sahtu Secretariat Inc. meeting in Tulita last week.
NWT Premier Bob McLeod sits with Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya and Kathryn Bruce, regional director general for the Northwest Territories region of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, in a traditional moose skin boat in Tulita on Aug. 27. The boat was created by members of Sahtu communities and was part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. - photo courtesy of Hilda Camirand |
"That will be an important document for them," said Premier Bob McLeod who was in town for the occasion.
The plan, officially released on Aug. 8, outlines how land within the Sahtu Settlement Area should be used or protected. It took more than 15 years to research and complete and covers all 283,988 square kilometres of the settlement area.
It doesn't cover areas already under Parks Canada jurisdiction, such as national parks.
McLeod said in addition to the plan's unveiling, he also travelled to Tulita to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, which was signed in 1993.
"It was a very nice opportunity to talk about the 20th anniversary, what the comprehensive agreement and land claim meant for the Sahtu people and how it's still a very important tool for them," McLeod said.
The agreement gave control of more than 40,000 square kilometres to the Sahtu Dene and Metis.
McLeod said other topics discussed at the meeting included auditor's reports, reports from Sahtu communities and devolution.
The Sahtu Secretariat Inc. signed the devolution agreement-in-principle in May 2012.
"Everyone is waiting now for the transfer date of April 1," McLeod said.
The meeting also gave residents and visitors an opportunity to participate in traditional activities, including a community feast and a drum dance, McLeod said.
Community members spent the past few months constructing a traditional moose hide boat, which they paddled down the
Mackenzie River to Tulita on Aug. 27, to celebrate the event. "When they arrived into town, it was very historic and emotional for the Sahtu people," McLeod said. "Everybody went down to see the boat."
McLeod said he also presented leaders with a painting of the landscape near Tulita, which was painted by Fort Good Hope artist Antoine Mountain.
"It was very well received," McLeod said.
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