Intergovernmental Meeting between Acho Dene Koe First Nation and Government of the Northwest Territories

Press Release

YELLOWKNIFE, NT (November 7, 2024) – Acho Dene Koe First Nation’s Chief Eugene Hope, Sub-Chief Donny Bertrand, Councillor Brenda Berreault, Councillor Vanessa Villeneuve, and Councillor Dennis Nelson met with Premier R.J. Simpson, Minister Caroline Wawzonek, Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister Vince McKay, Minister Lucy Kuptana, and Minister Lesa Semmler on November 7, 2024, in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

The meeting focused on areas of mutual interest, including:

Directing their officials to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to assist with exploring creative solutions to address the changing housing landscape and for the GNWT and Acho Dene commit to work together to re-examine the Fort Liard Housing Plan (2019) and instituting improvements to the housing situation in Echaot’l Koe (Fort Liard).
Committing to work in partnership to improve education outcomes.
Dedicating to exploring governance composition options that best benefits all residents of Echaot’l Koe (Fort Liard)..
Continuing the negotiating of the Comprehensive Land, Resources and Self-Government Agreement with the GNWT and Acho Dene Koe First Nation devoting to achieving finalization and implementation.
Working together to leverage strong federal partnerships, particularly through shared forums such as NWT Council of Leaders, that will unlock the potential of critical minerals, shaping a prosperous future of the NWT.
Entrusting to enhancing the inclusion of NWT Indigenous businesses and individuals more effectively in GNWT procurement policies.
Prioritizing the public safety, health and mental health crises in the community by working together to adopt new approaches within the existing liquor and cannabis regime that meets the unique needs of the Echaot’l Koe (Fort Liard).

The Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding between the Acho Dene Koe First Nation and Government of the Northwest Territories was signed on October 3, 2022. The Agreement outlines the commitment of the two governments to work together to build a strong government-to-government relationship.

Bilateral meetings between Acho Dene Koe First Nation and the Government of Northwest Territories provide an important forum to identify areas of mutual interest and concern so that the two governments can better work together to bring benefits to Northwest Territories residents.

Quick Facts

The Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Acho Dene Koe First Nation and Government of the Northwest Territories on October 3, 2022, for a four-year term.
The Agreement recognizes the importance of the government-to-government relationship between the Acho Dene Koe First Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories.
The Agreement commits the two governments to meet once per year.

For more information, contact:

Toyeke Adedipe

Manager Public Affairs and Communications Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs Government of the Northwest Territories (867) 767-9168 ext. 15017

Boyd Clark

Advisor / Acting Band Manager

Acho Dene Koe First Nation

Tel: 306-681-5171

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