YELLOWKNIFE (July 19, 2012) – Premier Bob McLeod met with the newly-elected Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) President Robert A. Alexie, Vice-President Norman Snowshoe and Chief Operating Officer Fred E. Koe today in Yellowknife. The meeting was the first step in opening doors for an ongoing and productive partnership between the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the new GTC Leadership, one that aims at delivering real benefits to the Gwich’in
“We have a small territory and we need to pull together if we want to achieve our shared vision of a strong, self-sufficient Northwest Territories,” said Premier McLeod. “Our government is committed to working with this territory’s Aboriginal governments in the spirit of respect, recognition and responsibility. I believe the Government of the Northwest Territories and the GTC share many of the same priorities and I look forward to working with President Alexie and the new GTC executive to advance the interests of all NWT residents, including the Gwich’in.”
GTC President Alexie said he was pleased at the outcome of the preliminary talks.
“We are pleased to have this early meeting with Premier McLeod today,” President Alexie said. “As elected leaders we have a joint and community responsibility to work together in a productive and transparent way. We look forward to a more productive partnership between the GNWT and the new GTC leadership, one that aims at delivering real benefits to the Gwich’in.”
The 17th Legislative Assembly has a vision of strong individuals, families and communities sharing the benefits of and responsibilities of a unified, environmentally sustainable and prosperous Northwest Territories. Priorities include making progress on improving our economy, making strategic investments in our infrastructure, creating employment opportunities for NWT residents in their regions and communities, balancing development with environmental stewardship, ensuring our residents are healthy and educated and addressing poverty and housing needs.
For more information:
Shaun Dean
Press Secretary
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2304
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca
Larry Frolick
Communications Director
Gwich’in Tribal Council
Tel: 867-777-7923
Email: lfrolick@gwichin.nt.ca