INUVIK
A new organization working with the Gwich'in Tribal Council promises to make the nation's future brighter.

James A. Wilson, the new president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, left, met with the members of the newly-formed Gwich'in Regional Youth Council on Nov. 23, including Katherine Sittichinli, Angela Koe, Davie Edwards, Riley Furlong, Daphane Francis, Dinah Andre and Naomi Peterson. Tribal council vice-president Norman Snowshoe, right, also attended. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

After months of discussion, the first meeting of the seven-member Gwich'in Regional Youth Council was held from Nov. 21 to 23.

The council was first discussed last year during a youth summit at the Aurora Research Institute, and was approved in August at the annual general assembly of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

Katherine Sittichinli of Inuvik was elected the president of the council during the sessions, and the council is still very much in its formative stage.

"This is our first meeting, and we've been going through a structure over the past couple of months to build this council," she said. "The purpose is to give a voice to the youth on maintaining and enhancing Gwich'in culture, language and traditions. We're working on ways to do that."

"I think it's been going pretty good, and there's a lot of learning that's been done," added Davie Edwards, the new vice-president.

Sittichinli said much of the weekend had been spent organizing the council, including the more tedious details such as a code of conduct, research into Robert's Rules of Orders and related procedural issues. They're also putting together a fiscal plan that will be reviewed at their next meeting.

The council is also planning to look into consultation issues within the four Gwich'in communities in the delta region.

"I think things are going great so far," Sittichinli added. "We've had a lot of help and support so far from everyone in the communities. There's been no negative feedback at all."

The council is proposing to meet four times a year, and will organize an on-the-land trip as well.

Naomi Peterson, a council member, said she wants to serve on the council because "it's never been done before."

Dinah Andre, another member, said her motivation is simple, to "serve the youth."

Jordan Peterson, the inter-government officer with the GTC and a youth advocate, is acting as liaison with the youth council. He said it was "very inspiring" to see the council come to fruition, especially with youth who gave up a weekend to attend the inaugural meeting.

"Some of the primary focuses of this is to establish a great foundation for this organization," he added.

As the meeting wrapped up Nov. 23, the council members had a chance to meet with James Wilson, the new president of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, for an informal session.

Wilson said he saw an initiative like the youth council as a chance to "prepare the next generation" for leadership roles.

He mentioned that one of his initiatives will be to establish an educational trust fund for Gwich'in youth to help provide funding for their education and training.

"I don't think people should be short-changed on the education," Wilson said. "I think we should flood the world with qualified beneficiaries and eventually you guys will take over this corporation. It's only an idea, but that would be one of my focuses.

"I expressed that idea several years ago, but unfortunately it didn't go far," he said, attributing that to the growing and maturing process that has enmeshed the tribal council, which he said is "barely 20 years old."

He promised that youth issues will be one of his priorities.

"I have a real passion for the youth," he said, "and its going to be one of my priorities to sell this to the board."

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