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Thank you. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and  Tsleil-Waututht First Nations.

It’s a pleasure to be here today among partners from the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Gwich’in Tribal Council to celebrate a milestone for our local minerals industry.

The launch of regional mineral strategies is a vision the Government of the Northwest Territories had in Mineral Development Strategies. It identified the need to build capacity in our territory’s Indigenous communities – not just in the Beaufort Delta, but right across the NWT.

Together, our government worked with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Gwich’in Tribal Council to develop regional strategies that will encourage, guide, and support mineral exploration and development specific to their regions. 

Today, with the release of these documents, we are formally recognizing the completion of our planning – and looking forward to the next step – investment and exploration.   

The strategies offer roadmaps for companies looking to do business in the traditional territories of the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in and outline what the leadership in these regions will do to make their traditional territories attractive to responsible developers.

It is appropriate that we highlight these documents here at Roundup because this annual event has been significant in building the capacity that will allow indigenous governments and organizations to participate at the next level - as leaders, funders and even owners of mining projects.

We are at the table together, and investors have a clear picture of that. 

I would like to recognize each of you here today as representatives of Indigenous governments and organizations - and to thank you for your participation and support.

Collectively – we’re getting the job done and turning our mineral potential into local benefits.

Awareness and recognition for the NWT’s resource potential is growing – as is the respect for our Indigenous governments and the role that they play. 

The underlying message that unites these two documents is this:  Indigenous governments and organizations of the Northwest Territories want to see a balanced and responsible approach to the management of our economy and our environment – and they want to be meaningful and equal partners and participants in the development of our North. 

By working through Indigenous government development corporations — and with NWT mines — the NWT has developed successful business models and a foundation from which we are ready to take the next step.The Northwest Territories is a region rich in resources and people. We have the tools needed for success and social buy-in. If you’re looking to invest, this is where you should be looking.

Thank you again for being here and congratulations to the IRC and GTC and everyone else who made this happen.