A $6.2 million funding increase will give a much needed boost to Indigenous environmental organizations which in turn will inject money into the respective communities.
The additional 40-per-cent increase of investment funding will in part support Inuvialuit, GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n, Sahtu and Tlicho co-management boards and committees that were established under their respective treaties. That increase will see annual core funding support increase to $21.7 million from $15.5 million.
The new multi-year funding agreements, supporting environmental co-management and community participation in the Northwest Territories, was announced Aug. 24 by Carolyn Bennett, the veteran Liberal minister who was days later appointed minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.
In the NWT, 33 boards and committees in the territory oversee and carry out land use planning, regulation of the use of land and water and, conduct environmental assessments and reviews of large or complex projects.
"These boards and committees play a critical role in land use, environmental assessment and resource regulation in the Northwest Territories," stated Bennett in a news release. "Funding renewal was long overdue as most of these funding arrangements were set over 14 years ago and no longer reflect operational needs."
She also stated the importance of establishing a modern funding regime for boards and committees which support the spirit of those treaties.
Ethel Blondin-Andrew, chairperson of Sahtu Secretariat Inc., said with the redefining of minister Bennett's portfolio that Indian Affairs is much different than it stood previously.
"I was with minister Bennett on Friday, we went to Naats'ihch'oh park and we had some discussions," said Blondin-Andrew. "Minister Bennett's portfolio has been redefined or modified so it's kind of a different day today from where Indian affairs was last Friday."
She added that contract priority is also high on the list for the Sahtu.
"We want to keep the economic benefits for contracting within our settlement area which is where our land claims prevails. Why do land claims agreements if you don't uphold them. Why do self-government agreements if you're not working at giving the people economic autonomy as well as political?"
Bennett also congratulated new appointments to the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board, Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, Gwich'in Land Use Planning Board, Inuvialuit Environmental Impact Screening Committee and the Sahtu Land and Water Board.
NWT MP Michael McLeod stated in the release the importance of the co-management systems.
"Our co-management system is a model of resource stewardship and cooperation between multiple governments. I would also like to thank those recently appointed for putting their names forward to fill these important roles," stated McLeod.
Blondin-Andrew said she is looking forward to working with newly appointed minister of Indigenous Services, Jane Philpott.
"I'm really interested in working with Philpott on the procurement policy for remediation and reclamation," she said. "I want to see them deal with the land claim in groups in a way that respects the claim."
Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus stated in a separate release Aug. 28 that the Dene people will be working to engage their full treaty and Aboriginal rights. He also stated that the Dene Nation is hopeful that the splitting of responsibilities into two defined areas under Indian and Northern Affairs will help turn things around.
"An economic resource development plan needs to be developed jointly with the Dene so stability is the goal rather than 'boom and bust' initiatives," he stated. "The Dene Nation welcomes minister Philpott to her new role in the federal cabinet, we have confidence in her ability to work effectively with us."
"The Dene Nation is also looking forward to working with Minister Bennett who will now focus on northern development."
Blondin-Andrew said the Sahtu Secretariat Inc., has similar goals when it comes to treaty rights for the Sahtu region.
"We have to dialogue first, we have to let them know what we want. That's truly implementing and giving fuller expression to the claim. Mean what you say," she said.
