(Check against delivery)
On behalf of Premier Bob McLeod and the Government of the Northwest Territories, I would like to welcome you to the Northern Governance Conference. I am pleased to see so many people here with an interest in the long-term economic and social well-being of the people of the Northwest Territories.
We live in 33 communities spread over several regions. We share the territory with seven regional Aboriginal governments. We all have our own mandates, priorities and interests unique to each of our groups. Sometimes our individual priorities align with each other and sometimes it is more difficult to find consensus on specific issues.
We lead the country in ongoing and formal engagement with regional Aboriginal governments. We are the only jurisdiction in Canada to have government-to-government relations with our Aboriginal governments and it is reflected in all our activities and operations.
Our Government has long been committed to working effectively with our federal and Aboriginal partners to finalize Aboriginal rights agreements. With several sets of negotiations having reached significant milestones during the last government, we have witnessed firsthand how partners working together can achieve significant results. Those milestones include passing the Délįnę Final Self-government Agreement Act, concluding an Agreement-in-Principle on land and resources with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation, the Inuvialuit Self-government Agreement-in-Principle as well as the Northwest Territory Métis Nation Agreement-in-Principle on Land and Resources.
As we start the 18th Legislative Assembly, we are focussed on building on these successes, including settling the four remaining land claims with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Akaitcho Dene First Nations, Dehcho First Nations and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation. Settling these land claims will be an important factor in strengthening the Northwest Territories’ economy.
We are committed to collaborative decision making and engagement with our Aboriginal governments. This commitment was underscored in the last government which released the Aboriginal Engagement Strategy, Respect, Recognition, Responsibility, which sets out eight principles of engagement that our government is committed to.
- We recognize and affirm the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples in the first principle.
- We recognize the inherent right of self-government as an existing Aboriginal right under section 35 of the Constitution Act 1982.
- We commit to building mutually respectful government-to-government relationships.
- We recognize all existing Aboriginal Right Agreements and commit using them as the basis for engagement with Aboriginal governments.
- We respect the diverse governance structures of Northwest Territories Aboriginal governments and we will be open in engaging with the different governments and communities that exist within each region.
- We commit to building responsible and accountable government-to-government relationships that are responsive and flexible.
There are also principles with respect to sharing information and knowledge, helping to build capacity, enhancing our government’s participation at Annual General Assemblies and other important events, and establishing regular formal meetings with each Aboriginal government in the Northwest Territories.
In our eighth and final principle, we continue our commitment to working with Aboriginal governments to ensure responsible stewardship over Northwest Territories lands, water and air.
Not only do we need to ensure stewardship over land, water and air, we also need to ensure social stewardship. The GNWT is committed to working with our Aboriginal communities and governments to address the Truth and Reconciliation Comission report. The GNWT’s response to the report highlights where we lead the nation in program and service delivery that supports and empowers our people to move towards a path of healing. However, there is the need for us to be better, and the GNWT is committed to achieving this.
It is imperative to the success of the Northwest Territories and its people, socially, culturally, economically, AND spiritually, that reconciliation takes place. No one is immune to the impact of our shared history nor should anyone be left out of our shared future. Reconciliation is about building a nation where mutual respect between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples exists. In order for this to happen, there must be recognition and acceptance of the past, acknowledgement of the harm inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to achieve change.
We are determined to create conditions for success that work to the benefit of all Northwest Territories residents. We are actively negotiating and settling land claims, and creating certainty of rights and process for Aboriginal people.
I am not going to stand here today and say that we have all the answers. The evolution of governance in the Northwest Territories is very much a work in progress. We will continue to look for new and innovative approaches that will help us build strong and prosperous future for our residents based on strong working relationships with Aboriginal governments, community governments, non-governmental organizations, business and industry.
I hope your discussions are productive.