A New Modern Treaty Signed in the Northwest Territories

News Release

Prosperous future ahead for the Délı̨nę First Nation

March 16, 2015 Ottawa, Ontario Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

The community of Délı̨nę [Day-lee-nay] is the first community in the Northwest Territories with its own Aboriginal self-government agreement. The Agreement was celebrated today by the members of the Délı̨nę community, Mark Strahl, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Leonard Kenny, Chief of the Délı̨nę First Nation, Gina Dolphus, President of the Délı̨nę Land Corporation, and the Honourable Bob McLeod, Premier and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).

After implementing legislation is passed, the Final Self-Government Agreement will create a new government, the Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government, and bring together the authorities, programs and services of the Charter Community Government, the Délı̨nę Land Corporation, the Délįnę Financial Corporation, and the Délı̨nę First Nation Band.

This will allow the self-government arrangements of the Agreement to meet the unique needs of Délı̨ne, give the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Délı̨nę more control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives and cover responsibilities in the areas of culture, language, education, social services, program delivery, governing structures, Délı̨nę First Nation citizenship, elections, and local government services.

Quick facts

Délįnę First Nations Citizens ratified the Agreement in a ratification vote with 64.5% of all eligible voters approving the Délı̨ne Final Self-Government Agreement, well above the 50% + 1 threshold required to ratify the Agreement.
The signing of the Final Agreement enables the federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories to prepare and introduce legislation to bring the treaty into force.

Quotes

"Settlement of self-government negotiations is a northern priority and our Government is committed to providing Canadian families with prosperous and strong communities, such as the Déline First Nation. All Canadians, including Aboriginal peoples, can count on our Government to stay focused on what matters; jobs, growth and economic prosperity."
- Bernard Valcourt,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"This is a day all beneficiaries of the Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement will remember, and I am proud to share this accomplishment with all of you. Self-government is an important tool that will help Deline First Nation create a more positive and stable environment for investment and growth, and give the community greater control over their future."
- Mark Strahl,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"This agreement is an important tool for charting our future, and working for the good of all of our people. It provides a foundation for a more effective working relationship with the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories."
- Chief Leonard Kenny,
Délı̨nę First Nation

"Our negotiating team worked very hard over the course of eighteen years to reach this agreement with Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories. In March 2014, 85% of Deline beneficiaries who cast ballots voted yes to this agreement, giving it an overall approval rate of 65%. This agreement was guided by the vision of our Elders and is a legacy for our children and grandchildren for generations to come."
- Gina Dolphus,
President of the Délı̨nę Land Corporation

"Congratulations to the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Délı̨nę. This agreement is the culmination of many years of hard work for the people of Délı̨nę and 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 GNWT is committed to working with the Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government to implement this historic agreement."
- Bob McLeod,
Premier and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations for the Government of the Northwest Territories

Contacts

Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160

Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox
Implementation Director
Délı̨nę First Nation and Délı̨nę Land Corporation
867-444-0030

Roya Grinsted
Media Relations
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-669-2308

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A New Modern Treaty Signed in the Northwest Territories

News Release

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