November 7, 2011 - Premier Bob McLeod and the Cabinet of the 17th Legislative Assembly held a day-long planning retreat at the Sah Naji Kwe Lodge near Behchoko on Nov. 3, 2011. Discussions included approaches to engaging with NWT Aboriginal leaders, the timeline around establishing a Cabinet agenda for implementing the priorities of the 17th Legislative Assembly, improving government communications, Devolution and managing relations with federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Cabinet took advantage of the location to have a lunch meeting with Tlicho Chiefs, following-up on the Premier’s commitment to hold bilateral meetings with regional Aboriginal governments made after the successful meetings with Aboriginal leaders in Dettah last month.
“We had positive discussions with the Tlicho Chiefs and they have invited us to the next Tlicho Assembly,” said Premier McLeod. “As residents of the NWT, we all face similar challenges and share common interests. Forging good working relationships with Aboriginal leaders and focusing on the things we share in common will help make sure that the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is working to serve the interests of all the people of the NWT.”
The Premier has already called and spoken to Aboriginal leaders from each region of the NWT to discuss opportunities for working together more closely. He plans to pursue bilateral meetings with leaders from each regional Aboriginal government, before holding another joint meeting in the near future. The Premier also met with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in N’Dilo on Nov. 4, 2011 and is looking forward to meeting with other band Chiefs in their communities.
“Cabinet is ready to get down to working on the issues that matter to the people of the NWT,” said Premier McLeod.
Planning for the new Government continues. Members of the Legislative Assembly will meet in Caucus later this month to establish priorities for the 17th Legislative Assembly before reconvening in Dec. to review the GNWT’s Capital Plan.
For more information contact
James MacKenzie
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302