Intergovernmental Council of the Northwest Territories meets in Yellowknife

Press Release

November 13, 2025 (Yellowknife) – Leaders from the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Northwest Territory Métis Nation, Salt River First Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) met in Yellowknife to discuss issues related to lands and resource management at the Intergovernmental Council meeting.

The economy of the Northwest Territories, and the role the Intergovernmental Council plays in advancing it was a significant theme of conversations at the meeting. Leaders talked about the actions they have taken and will take to improve the competitiveness of the Northwest Territories. These include work to continue to implement the Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resource Management, prioritizing work on land and resource management initiatives that support economic competitiveness and balanced sustainable economic development. Leaders also agreed to provide updates on the seven-year review of the Agreement on their website.

As a key feature of the Devolution Agreement, the Intergovernmental Council allows governments to cooperate and collaborate on matters related to lands and resource management. The meetings help strengthen the GNWT’s relationships with Indigenous governments, a main priority of the mandate of the GNWT.

Leaders attending this meeting included:

⦁ Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr. – Gwich’in Tribal Council
⦁ Richard Nerysoo – Director of Tetlit Gwich’in Council
⦁ Chief Elaine Auger – Kátł’odeeche First Nation
⦁ Sub-Chief Shirley Lamalice – Kátł’odeeche First Nation
⦁ President Garry Bailey – Northwest Territory Métis Nation

⦁ Secretary-Treasurer Betty Villebrun – Northwest Territory Métis Nation

⦁ Chairperson Charles McNeely – Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
⦁ Chief Shawn Grandjambe – Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
⦁ Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon – Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
⦁ Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe – Tłı̨chǫ Government
⦁ Chief Charles Nitsiza – Tłı̨chǫ Government

⦁ Chief Adeline Football – Tłı̨chǫ Government
⦁ Premier R.J. Simpson – Government of the Northwest Territories
⦁ Minister Jay Macdonald – Government of the Northwest Territories

⦁ Minister Caitlin Cleveland – Government of the Northwest Territories

MLA Denny Rodgers, representing the 20th Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, attended the meeting as an observer.

Quick Facts

⦁ The IGC is established by the Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management.

⦁ The IGC allows governments to share ideas, discuss common priorities, and interests and explore ways to harmonize their respective land and resource management practices, share capacity and avoid duplication.

⦁ Under the Devolution Agreement, the GNWT committed to share up to 25% of its resource revenues with Indigenous governments that have signed on as partners. Since 2015, the GNWT has disbursed over $53 million to its Devolution partners.

⦁ In November 2020, the Intergovernmental Council agreed to a legislative development protocol that respects the jurisdictions of all Intergovernmental Council members and provides opportunities for collaboration on the development of land and resource legislation and regulations in the Northwest Territories.

⦁ In March 2023, the NWT Legislative Assembly adopted a Process Convention regarding legislation drafted in cooperation with the Intergovernmental Council to allow for the increased sharing of information between standing committees and the Intergovernmental Council.

Links

⦁ Intergovernmental Council of the Northwest Territories website

For more information, contact:

Boyd Clark

Advisor/Band Manager
Acho Dene Koe First Nation
303-681-5171

Brenda McDonald
Interim Chief Executive Officer Gwich’in Tribal Council 867-777-7900

Catherine Pate

Director of Communications Inuvialuit Regional Corporation 867-777-7000

Chief Executive Officer Kátł’odeeche First Nation 867-874-6701

Elizabeth Westwell

Chief Executive Officer
Salt River First Nation
867-872-2986

Orlena Modeste
Executive Director