GOVERNANCE

Commitment 5.2.1 – We will seek to establish a joint committee between Cabinet Ministers and Regular Members to share information and discuss approaches on the advancement of land, resource, and self-government agreements as well as initiatives to enhance relationships with Indigenous governments.

A Joint Working Group on Indigenous Relations and Aboriginal Rights Agreements has been established to serve as a forum for discussions on new initiatives as they pertain to relations with Indigenous governments, and to review matters related to the negotiation of land, resources and self-government agreements.

The Working Group is comprised of seven members including the Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, who shall serve as chair; three members selected from Cabinet; and three Regular members of the Legislative Assembly.

The Working Group will provide advice and make recommendations to the Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs to:

• strengthen relations with Indigenous governments; and
• help facilitate the timely resolution of Aboriginal rights claims to achieve the reconciliation of Indigenous interests with those of the broader society

Related Mandate Commitments

• Commitment 5.2.3 – We will work with Indigenous governments to jointly develop their human resource capacity, for example by finalizing and evaluating the existing pilot project with the Gwich’in Tribal Council.  
• Commitment 5.2.4 – We will pursue an agreement with the federal government on the management of offshore resources.
• Commitment 5.2.5 – We will work to improve the NWT integrated resource management regime to ensure the regime reflects NWT interests and priorities.

For more information about this initiative, please contact the Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs.