Northwest Territories Council of Leaders Meet in Yellowknife

Press Release

Yellowknife (September 4-5, 2024) – Indigenous leaders and leaders from the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) gathered for the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders (NWTCOL) meeting on September 4 and 5, 2024 in Yellowknife, NT.

Key discussions and direction included:

Health and Wellness: Approval of a Terms of Reference for the creation of a NWTCOL Health and Social Services Working Group. Through that working group, they agreed to continue to work collaboratively to address mental health and addictions issues in their communities and throughout the NWT.
Emergency Management: Develop a working group with representatives of the GNWT and Indigenous Governments and Indigenous Organizations to review the Emergency Management Act and consider potential amendments informed by the recommendations of the 2023 After Action Review, discussions with Local Authorities, and discussions of the Emergency Management Working Group.
Infrastructure: Accessing remote communities and regional projects including the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
Economic Reconciliation: Develop a working group with representatives of the GNWT and Indigenous Governments and Indigenous Organizations to identify opportunities to maximize economic growth and reduce barriers in every region of the NWT. The GNWT reiterated its commitment to enhancing the inclusion of NWT Indigenous businesses and individuals more effectively in GNWT procurement policies.

The NWTCOL forum offers members the opportunity to discuss territory-wide social and economic issues that are of interest to all member governments and work towards solutions.

The NWTCOL continues to be a productive forum and an example of meaningful partnership between the Indigenous and GNWT leaders, consistent with the principles of reconciliation.

Leaders attending the meeting included:

Ɂekw’ahtı̨dǝ́Danny Gaudet, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government
Délı̨nę K’aowǝdóKǝ Member, Leonard Kenny, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government
Délı̨nę K’aowǝdóKǝ Member, Georgina Dolphus, Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government
Chief April Martel, Kátł’odeeche First Nation
Councillor Robert Lamalice, Kátł’odeeche First Nation
Councillor Peter Sabourin, Kátł’odeeche First Nation
Chief Steve Vital, Nahanni Butte Dene Band
Councillor Eric Matou, Nahanni Butte Dene Band
Councillor Jayne Konisenta, Nahanni Butte Dene Band
Vice President Alan Harman, North Slave Métis Alliance
President Garry Bailey, Northwest Territory Métis Nation
Vice President Paul Harrington, Northwest Territory Métis Nation
Chair Charles McNeely, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
Chief Toni Heron, Salt River First Nation
Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Chief Clifford Daniels, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Chief Alfonz Nitsiza, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Chief Doreen Arrowmaker, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Chief Adeline Football, Tłı̨chǫ Government
Premier R.J. Simpson
Minister Caroline Wawzonek
Minister Lesa Semmler
Minister Caitlin Cleveland
Minister Vince McKay
Minister Jay Macdonald
Minister Lucy Kuptana
Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, Dehcho First Nations
Officials only, Gwich’in Tribal Council
Officials only, Acho Dene Koe First Nation
Officials only, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Akaitcho Dene First Nations

Quick Facts

The Northwest Territories Council of Leaders Memorandum of Understanding was signed by leadership on June 11, 2021. The MOU was signed for a four-year term.
NWTCOL strengthens intergovernmental relationships between Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations with the GNWT and enables the advancement of shared priorities.
Signatories to the NWT Council of Leaders include: Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Akaitcho Dene First Nations, Délı̨nę Got’ınę Government, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Nahanni Butte Dene Band, North Slave Métis Alliance, Northwest Territory

Métis Nation, Salt River First Nation, Sahtu Secretariat Inc., Tłı̨chǫ

Government, and the Government of the NWT.

This is the NWT Council of Leaders fourth year of meetings since the inaugural meeting in June 2021.
The MOU commits the NWT Council of Leaders to meeting annually.

For more information, contact:

Boyd Clark

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

Annie Boucher

Executive Director

Akaitcho Territory Government 867-3934-3313

Paulina Roche

Chief Executive Officer

Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government 867-589-8100, ext 106

Tony Devlin Communications Advisor Gwich’in Tribal Council 867-678-0886

Christine Igluruq Inglangasuk Senior Manager of Administration Executive

Inuvialuit Regional Corporation 867-777-7096