Premier McLeod congratulates Délı̨nę

YELLOWKNIFE (March 13, 2014) – Premier Bob McLeod is congratulating the Délı̨nę First Nation and Délı̨nę Land Corporation whose members voted this week to ratify the Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement. The historic vote is the culmination of 18 years of negotiations.

“Northerners want to speak for themselves and make their own decisions about the matters that directly affect them,” said Premier McLeod. “Like devolution, this vote is an example of Northerners taking on greater authority and responsibility for themselves. I congratulate the people of Délı̨nę, and look forward to working with them soon, along with all community and Aboriginal governments, to help create a strong, prosperous Northwest Territories that provides opportunities and benefits to all our residents.”

The Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement is the first community-based self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories to be negotiated in a region that has an existing land claim agreement. The agreement provides for an Aboriginal public government that will allow the Délįnę̨ Got’įnę̨ Government to represent and serve all residents of Délı̨nę for programs and services.

The agreement must now be ratified by the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories and federal and territorial legislation must be enacted before the agreement will take effect.

Building a strong and sustainable future for the NWT by strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and other northern governments is a priority for the 17th Legislative Assembly. The GNWT remains committed to finalizing and implementing land, resources and self-government agreements as part of fulfilling this priority and continuing to work with Aboriginal governments in the spirit of respect, recognition and responsibility.

For more information:
Shaun Dean
Press Secretary
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-669-2304
Email: shaun_dean@gov.nt.ca

NT5