NT Government: Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol

December 2, 2020 (YELLOWKNIFE) – Today the Intergovernmental Council (IGC), comprised of leaders from nine Indigenous Governments and the Government of the Northwest Territories, unanimously agreed to adopt a Legislative Development Protocol that will guide future collaborative work on NWT land and resource legislation. A shared commitment to work together has been a hallmark of the NWT approach to the devolution of land and resource management from the federal government in 2014. The IGC was created at that time to formalize how NWT governments would work together to manage NWT lands and resources and includes a commitment for all devolution partners to work collaboratively on legislation of shared priority.

The protocol was developed in part based on lessons learned in the 18th Legislative Assembly, during which the GNWT worked closely with Indigenous Government partners from across the Northwest Territories. A review of those processes led to shared desire for a more consistent process for the future development of NWT land and resource legislation.

Consistent with the Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management, the protocol respects the jurisdictions and authorities of Indigenous Governments and the GNWT. This approach preserves the important role of the elected leaders of both Indigenous Governments and the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, while also providing a mechanism for collaboration and consensus-building.

The protocol is unique in Canada, and represents a progressive and forward-looking step in the development of future Northwest Territories lands and resources legislation. IGC partners agreed that ongoing collaboration is the key to responsibly and sustainably managing the lands, waters and natural resources of the Northwest Territories for the benefit of current and future generations.

Quick                                                                                                                                                                     Facts

• A key feature of the Northwest Territories Intergovernmental Agreement on Lands and Resources Management (IGA) is recognition and respect of Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
• The protocol is a significant step towards fully realizing the mutual promises made between devolution partners in the IGA.
• The protocol is the first agreement of its kind in Canada, and provides opportunities for collaboration in the development of both land and resource statutes and regulations, of the GNWT and Indigenous Governments.
• The protocol supports the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by respecting, consulting and collaborating with Indigenous Governments on land and resource management.
• For more information, please visit http://www.igcnwt.ca/

For more information, contact:

Todd Sasaki
Senior Communications Officer
Government of the Northwest
Territories
867-767-9168 ext. 15015

Elizabeth Kolb
Communications Advisor
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
867-777-7055

Ursula Vogt
Executive Director
Northwest Territory Métis Nation
867-872-2770

Doug Matthews
Consultant
Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
867-589-4719

Amber Keegan
Gwich’in Tribal Council
867-777-7900

Laura Duncan
Tłı̨chǫ Executive Officer Tłı̨chǫ Government
867-392-6381

Boyd Clark
Advisor/Operations Manager
Acho Dene Koe First Nation
303-681-5171

Carol Ann Chaplin
Senior Administrative Officer
Denı nu Ku ̨e ̨ First Nation
867-394-4335

Gladys MacPherson
Chief Executive Officer
Salt River First Nation
867-872-0396

Peter Redvers
Lead, Negotiation and Consultation
Kátł’odeeche First Nation
867-874-6701

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