'Infants in the devolution process'
Agreement over land and water began during Sibbeston's term nearly 30 years ago
Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 31, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
To put in perspective just how long the territorial government has been trying to gain control over land and water, one only has to talk to former government leader Nick Sibbeston.
Former government leader Nick Sibbeston signed a memorandum of understanding on devolution with the federal government in 1986. The agreement brought long sought-after control over lands and water into its infancy, says Sibbeston. - NNSL file photo |
His memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the federal government on devolution dates back nearly 30 years.
"In April of 1986 I signed an MOU with the federal government to deal with the devolution of land and water," said Sibbeston, who was head of the territorial government from 1985 to 1987.
"I included the Dene Nation at the time and basically got their consent to go ahead with devolution as long as their rights were not compromised."
These were heady days. More and more, the legislative assembly was taking the levers of government in hand. Sibbeston insisted - mostly in vain - to being called premier. He was successful, however, in prying loose the Department of Personnel from NWT Commissioner John Parker, putting the hiring of government staff in his hands. Forestry came under territorial jurisdiction in 1987.
Still, as the territorial government grew stronger it needed to be mindful of aboriginal groups in the territory who were skeptical of the government's increasing power as they negotiated land claims with Ottawa. The Dene Nation was a powerful voice in the North and had not yet splintered under the weight of regional grievances.
"We were all just happy to have what powers we did, happy to be in government," said Sibbeston.
"Particularly for native people, it was a new venture as it were. We were all infants in the devolution process but even at that time is was important to get the consent of organizations like the Dene Nation."
Even though NWT Commissioner John Parker was allowing the legislative assembly a freer hand in making decisions, dealing with bureaucrats in Ottawa was still difficult.
Sibbeston made the case that what cost the federal government to build one house in the NWT, the territorial government could build five. But doubt continued in the minds of the Ottawa mandarins who questioned whether the territory had the education level and experience to manage its own affairs.
"Ottawa wasn't going to willingly loosen the strings," said Sibbeston. "You had to wrestle it from them and show you were responsible."
The memorandum Sibbeston signed with the federal government 28 years ago was just the beginning of the long wrought out process toward gaining control over the territory's resources. Sibbeston was first elected to the territorial council in 1970, back when four of the members were still appointees. He says it's difficult to conceptualize what having those powers would be like back then.
Now that the territory has finally reached this achievement he is pleased with what he sees. Sibbeston said the devolution deal about to take effect is a good one for the territory.
"I think generally it is good because it gives the control over land and water to the people of the North," said Sibbeston. "I think the power will be with the North so that is good."
