'We're really excited about this agreement'
K'atlodeeche First Nation and GNWT formalize relationship
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, September 19, 2016
K'ATLODEECHE FIRST NATION/HAY RIVER RESERVE
K'atlodeeche First Nation and the territorial government have put its relationship into writing.
On Sept. 1, Premier Bob McLeod and Chief Roy Fabian signed an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a ceremony on the Hay River Reserve.
"This agreement represents a strong foundation for partnership between the K'atlodeeche First Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories," stated McLeod in a news release. "We are committed to working together to find ways to share information and collaborate on matters for the benefit of the K'atlodeeche First Nation."
In the same news release, Fabian stated his First Nation wants to clarify and strengthen its working relationship with the GNWT on a government-to-government basis, both on the reserve and within its traditional land use area.
"Open and respectful dialogue between the leaders is a good foundation for this relationship," he stated.
The agreement, which will be in place for four years, commits the KFN chief and council and the premier to meet on an annual basis to discuss and address issues of mutual interest and concern.
During the signing ceremony, Fabian said the MOU will help with the government-to-government relationship so that the two sides can have better communications with each other.
The chief said that would be helpful because K'atlodeeche First Nation being on the Hay River Reserve is administered by the federal Indian Act but the territorial government provides services such as health, education, housing and more.
"So we just want to get together once in a while, at least once a year, to sit down with the premier and just raise what issues we might have," said Fabian.
"We're really excited about this agreement because we're just going to have a better relationship with the Government of the Northwest Territories," he added.
McLeod said the signing of the agreement is an important event, pointing to the presence of all members of cabinet as an indication of the significance the GNWT places on such intergovernmental MOUs.
"Our government is committed to new ways of doing business and making real progress on the issues that are important to aboriginal governments and communities," he said. "The Government of the Northwest Territories has made it a priority to strengthen our relationships with the K'atlodeeche First Nation and other aboriginal governments throughout the Northwest Territories. This memorandum of understanding regarding intergovernmental co-operation and co-ordination will enable the K'atlodeeche First Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories to improve communications, share information and increase co-operation between our governments."
McLeod said formalizing the relationship through the MOU and holding regular government-to-government meetings is intended to achieve real results on issues that are important to the First Nation and the GNWT.
"I'm very pleased that all of us have come to this recognition," he said. "I look forward to our first meeting this fall. I know that through our discussions we will both gain a greater appreciation of issues affecting your First Nation as well as issues facing the Government of the Northwest Territories."
Following the signing ceremony, Fabian said the First Nation needs to become part of the decision-making on issues like health, housing and education.
