Now! - Gwich`in Tribal Council

Transcription

newsletter
Gwich’in Tribal Council
Khaiints’àn’/Fall 2014
Gwich’in Participants and Inuvik residents walk to protect the Peel - January 2014 (photo credit: GTC)
Board Values
Respect: we will treat everyone with respect
Commitment: we will work hard every day for the
Gwich’in people
Integrity: we will follow high standards of behavior and
always put the interests of the Gwich’in people first
Trust: we will be trustworthy and keep our word
Accountability: we will set and publish clear goals and
regularly report on progress and financial performance
Knowledge: we will build and preserve our traditional
and modern knowledge and make decisions based on a
thorough understanding of the matters before us
Transparency: we will conduct our business in an open
manner; we will report on all aspects of our operations
regularly; we will respond fully to questions from
participants on a timely basis
Solidarity: we will work together in open constructive
ways, respecting each other’s viewpoints but standing
behind our group decisions
Honesty: we will mean what we say and never be
untruthful or deceptive
Gwich’in Culture and Beliefs: our Gwich’in culture and
beliefs will guide our work and decisions
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In this issue:
Acting President Update3
Upcoming Events
4
Board of Directors Motions Summary
5
Annual Assembly Resolutions Summary
6
Acting Chief Operating Officer Update
8
Finance Department Update
10
Lands, Resources & Intergovernmental Affairs
Self-Government
GCLCA Implementation
10 Year Human Resources Strategy
11
11
12
Gwich’in Services
Recruitment
13
Education and Training
13
Wellness14
Other Services14
Gwich’in Development Corporation
15
Election Notice
16
Gwich’in Harvesters Assistance Program
17
Peel Watershed Litigation
17
Designated Government Organizations
Ehdiitat Gwich’in
18
Gwichya Gwich’in
18
Nihtat Gwich’in
19
Tetlit Gwich’in
19
Gwich’in Social & Cultural Institute
21
Gwich’in Language Report
22
Peter & Mary Kay Anniversary
22
Run to Protect the Peel
23
Contact Us24
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President and the Vice President positions in the GTC. At the Assembly, the
By-Law revisions were passed protecting our Settlement Funds.
Acting President
Norman Snowshoe
Drin Gwiinzii Shilak Kat,
I
am very pleased to be providing you
with an update on the Gwich’in Tribal
Council (GTC) activities since our last
Annual Report in August.
The 2014 Assembly was held in Inuvik
and was well attended. There were
many concerns that the Gwich’in presented and hopefully we addressed
them.
A huge concern was the revision of the
GTC and Designated Gwich’in Organizations By-Laws to accommodate the
Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations
Act. Our By-Laws had to be revised
to ensure that our Settlement Funds
were protected from Taxation. During
the discussions, the election process
was discussed with the communities.
There was NO attempt to take voting
rights away from the Gwich’in for the
The Assembly also discussed in detail
and at length our business entities in
the GSA - namely Dinjii Zhuh Trucking
and Mackenzie Valley Construction.
There were lots of concerns about our
investments and management with
Dinjii Zhuh Trucking. We identified
the problems and were given direction that no further investments will be
made to this company. The GTC, with
the cooperation of Gwich’in Development Corporation (GDC), acquired the
services of Mr. Wayne Drury to act in
the capacity of GDC President. Part
of Mr. Drury’s duties were to review
and make recommendations about
the future of Dinjii Zhuh Trucking. The
assessment was completed and the
recommendation was made that it is
in the best interest of the Gwich’in to
begin the process to discontinue this
company. We will put in place a plan
to wind down the company. In regard
to Mackenzie Valley Construction, the
GTC have negotiated the purchase of
MVC Assets from Flint. This purchase
also includes ending our partnership
with Flint. During the transition period,
the GTC Board of Directors approved
the Nihtat Corporation proposal to
lease and operate the Gas Station and
Garage.
The GTC is also responsible for implementation of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA).
The major functions of the GTC are to
manage the Gwich’in Settlement Fund,
manage the Gwich’in Lands, protect
the rights of the Gwich’in established
by the Land Claim and ensure that economic development initiatives established by GCLCA are to the benefit of
all Gwich’in.
Over the past two years, the Gwich’in
have put a lot of emphasis on education
and self government. We believe that
education of our people and Gwich’in
self government go hand in hand. You
need educated Gwich’in to have a successful Gwich’in government. As the
basis for self government negotiations
the Gwich’in Self-Government Team
produced the “Gwich’in Agreement in
Principle Position Paper”. This is basically the Gwich’in proposed Agreement in Principle. It was noted by the
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs that this
is the first time in Canada that a First
Nation has used this very proactive approach. At this stage of the Self Government Process, the Governments
are reviewing and commenting on the
39 Chapter “Gwich’in Agreement in
Principle Position Paper”. In January
2015, the actual negotiations on the
contents will begin.
In terms of Gwich’in Capacity Development, we have developed several exciting and innovative initiatives to enhance the education of Gwich’in. These
include the annual Gwich’in Education
Forum, curriculum development, and
the Gwich’in Mentorship Program
(among others). These will be reported
on in more detail through staff reports.
The goal is to ensure that we have as
much education and training initiatives
for our people as needed to ensure that
they have the capacity to be employed
in the future.
In land management, we are dealing
with regulatory changes in both the
NWT and Yukon. Both the Mackenzie
Valley Resource Management Act and
the Yukon Socio-Economic Assessment Act are being amended. These
are Federal initiatives. We have been
negotiating these changes with the
government. We need to ensure that
our lands are protected as prescribed
by the GCLCA.
In the Yukon, the Gwich’in are always
concerned with the impacts to our beloved Peel Watershed. The Gwich’in are
(...cont’d on page 4)
For more information, visit us online at http://gwichintribalcouncil.com
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(...cont’d from previous page)
in litigation against the Yukon Government about land use planning in the
Peel Watershed. The Supreme Court
Judge has heard our arguments and
now wants to sit down with all parties
to see if we can reach an agreement.
The Gwich’in will maintain the position
of support for the Peel Commission’s
recommended Land Use Plan for the
Peel Watershed. In terms of land management in the
Gwich’in Settlement Region, the GTC
continues to inventory our lands in
terms of leased land and land uses. In
other water-related matters, we participated in consultations with GNWT
on the BC Transboundary Water Agreement. We need to ensure that the provisions for water from the GCLCA are
included in the negotiations.
The NWT Wildlife Act came into force
and the Gwich’in are participating in
the review of regulations established
by the Act. This is very important because we do not want our harvesting
rights infringed by any regulations that
may come into force.
The Settlement Fund is managed by
the Settlement Corporation Board. We
need to ensure that the fund sustains
us forever. This Fund belongs to us and
to all of the Gwich’in yet to be born.
We must manage our assets wisely
and ensure that the Fund continues to
grow. With these principles, we need
to ensure that we have policies in place
to ensure that any disbursement of
funds is authorized by the Gwich’in Assembly.
My people, we have come through a
very turbulent time in our history. At
the Assembly, we were given direction to work together. We must continue to follow that direction and to
do the work to better the lives of all
our Gwich’in Participants. I welcome
all comments and criticisms, as long as
they are constructive. I need feedback
to become a better leader. However, I
believe that comments and criticisms
that are destructive should not be
made. It does not foster good relations
among our people. We need to better
our relationships among each other to
have a successful nation.
Finally, I would like to commend the
GTC Board of Directors and staff at the
regional and community level for the
support over the last few months. Your
support has been tremendous.
Haii Cho Shilak Kat
Norman Snowshoe
Acting President, Gwich’in Tribal Council
Upcoming Events
Nov 1-2, 2014: Gwich’in Development Corporation Board of Directors Meeting (Vancouver, BC)
Dec 8, 2014: Executive Community Tour
(Whitehorse, YT)
Nov 3-7, 2014: Council of Yukon First Nation
Special General Assembly (Whitehorse, YT)
(Yellowknife, NT)
Nov 2014: Gwich’in Settlement Corporation
Board of Directors Meeting (Inuvik, NT)
(Edmonton, AB)
Nov 5, 2014: GTC Elections - Advance Polls
(see page 19 for locations)
Dec 12, 2014: Payouts available for Participants
in Gwich’in Settlement Area (DGO Office)
Nov 17, 2014: GTC Elections – Regular Polls
(see page 19 for locations)
Dec 19, 2014: Gwich’in Tribal Council Christmas
Open house begins at 1:00 p.m.
(Chief Jim Koe Zheh, Inuvik, NT)
Dec 1, 2014: Payouts mailed to Participants
outside Gwich’in Settlement Area
Dec 22, 2014 – Jan 2, 2015: Gwich’in Tribal Offices Closed
Check out the Gwich’in Tribal Council on Facebook!
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Board of Directors
Motion Summary
In 2014, the GTC Board of Directors
met on the following dates:
February 3, February 13 &14, March 17,
May 9 & 10, May 30, June 2, June 6, June
16, July 10, July 30 & 31, August 18, September 13 & 14 and October 16 & 17.
The following decisions were made
during regular, special and emergency
meetings:
Executive
• Appoint Carolyn Lennie as lead on
the transboundary discussions.
• To hire (on) contract (a) Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, to be led by
the HR Committee and Norman Snowshoe.
• Appoint Norman Snowshoe as interim President of the Gwich’in Tribal
Council in accordance with Gwich’in
Tribal Council By-Law #1, Section 7.3
and 11.13 (b).
• Change the location of the 2014 Annual General Assembly of the Gwich’in
Tribal Council to Inuvik, NT.
• To call an election for Gwich’in Tribal
Council President effective immediately, in accordance with current GTC
Elections Policy and Procedures Manual for a term ending June 2016.
• Enter into a contract with Robert
Vardy for a 24 month period as the
CFO.
• Recommend to the 2014 GTC Annual assembly to approve the GTC ByLaw No. 1 and Election Code to be in
compliance with Industry Canada.
Finance
• To conduct an independent internal
investigation into the $2 million transaction.
• Approve the Gwich’in Tribal Council
Operations Budget for the year ending
March 31, 2015.
• Approve the GTC Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending
March 31, 2014.
• Approve the Terms of Reference of
Finance Committee and Audit Committee as presented.
• Approve the revised Gwich’in Tribal
Council Operations Budget for the year
ending March 31, 2015.
Intergovernmental
• To commence legal proceedings
against the Yukon Government in relation to the adoption of the “new” plan.
• To petition the court to become an
intervener in the Peel Legal Action
that the Nacho Nyak Dun and Tr’ondëk
Hwëch’in First Nations are currently
undertaking.
• Direct all (GTC Board) directors will
attend the legal proceedings regarding
the Peel River Litigation in Whitehorse,
Yukon.
Lands and Resources
• Set up a segregated account for the
Land Reclamation Surplus account.
• Support the proposal of Ehdiitat
Gwich’in Council to administer and
manage the Willow River Gravel Resource as outlined in the Willow River
Management Plan and direct the GTC
Lands Department to work with the
EGC subject to the DGO review.
• No access will be granted to industry on Gwich’in Lands until an Environment Impact Assessment and Access
and Impact Benefit Agreements are
in place. The process outlined in the
GCLCA must be followed.
• Direct administration to research
hydraulic fracturing so a position may
be established.
Business
• Direct administration to research
the transfer of business entities owned
by Gwich’in Tribal Council to the
Gwich’in Development Corporation.
• Direct administration to develop
a business plan and evaluation to assume the assets of MVC and to bring
this back to the Board for review and
approval by May 31, 2014.
• To remove the on-site manager of
Dinjii Zhuh trucking, effective May 30,
2014, upon recommendation of the
MVC Purchase and Dinjii Zhuh Integration/Turnaround Plan.
• To meet on June 2, 2014 to discuss
the purchase of Mackenzie Valley Construction and operations of Dinjii Zhuh
Trucking Ltd.
• Approve the transfer of the 51 shares
from GILP to the GTC company 50644
N.W.T. Ltd., for the price of $1.00.
• Approve the GTC Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending
March 31, 2014.
• Approve the hiring of additional
staff in the finance department.
• Agree to lease the shop, land and
gas bar owned by Mackenzie Valley Construction located in Inuvik to
the Nihtat Corporation for a thirteen
month term as proposed, with the condition that the Grizzly Marine agree to
pay down their loan to GTC at equal
monthly payments within the terms of
the lease agreement.
• Accept “An Operational Review, Allegations of Fraudulent Activity Within
Dinjii Zhuh Trucking Limited” report
dated October 8, 2014.
Board Appointments
• Establish a GTC Business sub-committee: Herbert Blake, Carolyn Lennie,
David Krutko, Danny Greenland and
Robert A. Alexie.
• Mackenzie Valley Environmental
Impact Review Board: recommend
(..cont’d from previous page)
William Koe, Johnny Peterson, David
Krutko and Margaret Begg for consideration by the Minister.
• Gwich’in Renewable Resources
Board: Peter J. Kaye (the representative) and Sarah Jerome (the alternate).
Follow the GTC on Twitter! @GwichinSelfgovt
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• Gwich’in Land and Water Board: David Krutko, William Koe and Margaret
Begg.
• Establish a GTC Joint Occupational
Health and Safety Committee as per
the Workers Safety Compensation
Council regulations.
• Gwich’in Land Use Planning Board:
James B. Firth (the representative) and
Abraham Stewart Jr. (the alternate).
• GTC HR Committee: Jozef Carnogursky.
• GTC Board of Directors: accept
Herbert Blake’s resignation and Barry Greenland’s appointment (Nihtat
Gwich’in Council representative).
Intergovernmental
• Devolution
Council Land and Resource Management subcommittee: Norman Snowshoe.
• Gwich’in Development Corporation
Board of Directors: Fred Hunt, Wayne
Drury, Nick Mansell, Nicole Jauvin and
Geordie Hungerford.
• Gwich’in Council International: Bobbie-Jo Greenland-Morgan (Chair) and
Ethel Blake (alternate).
• Election Committee: Barry Greenland, Carolyn Lennie and David Krutko.
• GNWT Tourism Board: Margaret
Donovan.
Special Projects
• To enter into a partnership agreement with Arctic Energy Alliance to
explore projects that increase energy
efficiency in Gwich’in communities.
• To provide financial means and resources to implement the Personal
Education Credits program in support
of participants.
Copies of Gwich’in Tribal Council minutes are available through the Executive
Office or upon request to:
Lucy-Anne Kay
Corporate Governance Administrator
(867) 777-7900
lkay@gwichin.nt.ca
Annual Assembly
Resolutions Summary
T
he GTC held the 31st Annual General Assembly in Inuvik, NT from August 19th – 20th, 2014 at the Midnight
Sun Recreation Complex. 30 Gwich’in
Participants that were elected by their
DGOs and 2 official observers from Yellowknife and Whitehorse attended as
delegates.
GTC would like to thank all those who
spoke and participated during the assembly. A special thanks to the individuals that organized, set up, secured
and catered the event. Here is a summary of this year’s resolutions:
RESOLUTION # 001:2014 AGA
“Gwich’in Tribal Council By-Laws No.
1, 2 and 3”
1. Authorized and directed to make an
application for a Certificate of Continuance of the Corporation
2.The Articles of Continuance (transition) are approved
3. The general operating by-laws of
the Corporation (as amended) are repealed and the new general operating
by-laws which have been submitted to
this meeting and are annexed to these
minutes as Schedule B are approved
and will be effective.
“Gwich’in Settlement Corporation
By-Law 1 & 3”
1. Authorized and directed to make an
application for a Certificate of Continuance of the Corporation
2.The Articles of Continuance (transition) are approved
3. The general operating by-laws of
the Corporation (as amended) are repealed and the new general operating
by-laws which have been submitted to
this meeting and are annexed to these
minutes as Schedule B are approved
and will be effective.
“Guiding Fiscal Management”
Direct the GTC Board of Directors to
consider the following:
1. Set limits and clear guidelines on the
use of lines of credit
2.Ensure that bank accounts be used
for the purpose for which they are established
3. Review existing by-laws and consider amendments that will provide
flexibility to utilize and manage funds
during times of financial downturn or
requirement for restraint.
4.All requests of financial resources
will require Board approval for all financial requests.
“Board Appointments”
Recommends that GTC strive to train
Gwich’in participants to be qualified to
sit on Boards established by GTC with
the goal to have at least 51% of qualified Gwich’in participants.
“Supporting the Wellness Camp”
Directs the GTC Board of Directors undertake a review to consider the following:
1. Seek external funding to cover operational and program costs
2.Find ways to reduce operational
costs
3. Consider ways to improve the use of
the Facility.
“Anti-Fracking”
Declares the Gwich’in Settlement Region to be a frack-free zone and calls
on the Governments of the Yukon and
Northwest Territories to prohibit any
fracking in the Yukon and NWT.
“Protection of Watersheds in GSA”
Direct the GTC Leadership to:
1. Work collaboratively with the Alaska
and Yukon Gwich’in to maintain quality
The GTC is on Instagram! @gwichintribalcouncil
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of water for human use and ensure
access to the quantity of water which
will protect, maintain and sustain the
Gwich’in traditional lifestyle, including
our natural resources and environment
so that future generations can continue to live on the lands traditionally occupied and used by the Gwich’in; and
2.Give political support to the Gwich’in
Council International in their efforts to
seek funds to host a Gwich’in Nation
Water Conference.
“Tetlit Gwich’in/Yukon Lands”
Directs the GTC to:
1. Work with the Tetlit Gwich’in Council towards establishing land management and control rules over Tetlit
Gwich’in Yukon Lands; and
2.Work with the Tetlit Gwich’in Council towards a protocol on the administration and management of Tetlit
Gwich’in Yukon Lands.
“GTC and IGC Bi-lateral meetings”
Direct the GTC to participate with IGC
in bi-lateral meetings as required.
“Gwich’in Regional Youth Council”
Establish a Gwich’in Regional Youth
Council.
“Affirming the Authority of Assembly
Delegates”
Direct the GTC Executive, GTC Board
of Directors and GTC Committees to:
1. Recognize and affirm the authority
of the Annual General Assembly while
it is in session or adjournment;
2.Provide any and all information to or
requested by the delegates to Annual
General Assembly to allow delegates
to make an informed and reasoned decision with respect to the items noted.
“Assembly Budget”
To earmark no less than two hundred
to three hundred thousand dollars
($200,000 - $300,000) from the annual
operational budget of the Tribal Council to hold future effective Annual General Assemblies .
RESOLUTION # 013:2014 AGA “Mandate of the GTC Self-Government Negotiation Team”
Approve the self-government negotiations mandate for 2013-2014 until the
2015 Annual General Assembly.
Copies of Gwich’in Tribal Council Annual
Assembly Resolutions are available on
the Gwich’in Tribal Council Website or
upon request to:
Lucy-Anne Kay
Corporate Governance Administrator
(867) 777-7900
lkay@gwichin.nt.ca
Gwich’in Participants at 31st Annual Assembly. Back Row: Daniel Tetlichi, Archie Norbert, Neil Pascal, Neil Firth, Dale Blake, Davie Edwards
Middle Row: Sarah Jerome, Morris Blake, Irene Kendo, Serena Wright, Cassandra Francis, Greta Villebrun, Fanny Greenland and Angela Blake
Front Row: Mary Effie Snowshoe, Thomas Norbert and Bertha Francis (photo credit: GTC)
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Acting Chief
Operating
Officer (COO)
Helen Sullivan
During the past four months, the Chief
Operating Officer (COO) has focused
mainly on the administration and coordination of internal operational activities of the organization in accordance
with by-laws, policies, goals and objectives established by the Gwich’in Tribal
Council (GTC) Executive and Board of
Directors, including:
GTC By-law Revision
The new Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act establishes a new set
of rules for federally incorporated
not-for-profit corporations in Canada.
These new rules impact the By-laws of
the GTC. GTC had until October 17th,
2014 to make the transition and come
into compliance with the new Act. As
part of this process, the GTC needed to
review and amend our By-laws to ensure compliance to the Act. Corporations that do not make the transition
by the deadline will be assumed to be
inactive and will be dissolved.
(the date that each Gwich’in organization can begin to use the By-Laws)
is the date that the By-Laws were accepted at their annual Assembly.
Election for GTC President
GTC began the process of electing a
GTC President by advertising a Request
for Expression of Interest (REOI) for
the position of Chief Returning Officer
(CRO). The closing date for the REOI
was July 25th, 2014. The Board of Directors appointed a CRO on August 22,
2014. The CRO is presently conducting the election in compliance with the
GTC Elections Policy and Procedures
Manual.
Update:
• Notice has been given to eligible
voters of the GTC that the following
individuals have been nominated for
President: James A Wilson and Richard
Nerysoo.
• Advance Poll Date is Wednesday,
November 5th from 10:00 am to 6:00
pm.
• Election Day is Monday, November
17th from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Advance Poll & Election
Day Venues
Aklavik
Aklavik Indian Band – Board Room
Fort McPherson
Chii Tsal Dik Gwisheh (The Lodge)
Inuvik
Nihtat Gwich’in Council
Alex Moses Greenland Building
Board Room
105 Veteran’s Way
Tsiigehtchic
Chief Paul Niditchie School
Gymnasium
Personal Education
Credit Program (PEC)
One-time Personal Credits of up to
$3,000 are redeemable by Common
Experience Program (CEP) recipients for personal or group education
programs and services provided by
approved educational entities and
groups. A main purpose of the PEC is
to reclaim through education the First
Nations’ languages and cultures that
were taken away during the residential
Gwich’in Camp, 2014 (photo credit: Helen Sullivan)
Update:
• By-law revisions were passed at the
Annual General Assembly in August
and were filed with Corporations Canada by Field Law prior to the October
17th deadline.
• AGA delegates agreed that there is
a need to further develop and revise
the By-laws. GTC and the DGOs will
work on them over the winter with the
intention of bringing them to the AGA
in August, 2015.
• Copies of newly revised By-laws,
Election Codes, and Certificates of
Continuance were received by GTC in
early October and were circulated to
DGOs and Executive.
• The effective date of the By-laws
8
scheme has been implemented and
annual Staff Performance Reviews
have been completed by Directors.
• A Compensation Review has been
completed by COO and was briefly discussed at the HR/Finance Committee
Meeting on October 15th, 2014. This
review included the Consumer Price Index and Performance-Based Bonuses.
• The GTC’s Organizational Chart is in
its final revision stage.
Chairmanship of
Gwich’in Council
International
Fall Harvest, Husky Channel 2014 (photo credit: Helen Sullivan)
school era. The GTC is a “group service
provider” for the PEC program.
Update:
• Working team/relationship established in the GTC Office in early July,
2014.
• Procedures and practices were implemented to respond to participant
inquiries and handling of Redemption
Forms.
• Business and educational entities
were contacted and PEC accounts
were established in four Gwich’in communities.
• Program is well underway in all communities.
• Deadlines:
October 31, 2014 (midnight)
Deadline for CEP Recipient to submit
Acknowledgement Form
December 1, 2014 (midnight)
Deadline for Education Entity or
Group Educational Service to submit
Redemption Form
April 30, 2015
Deadline to spend the Personal Credit
Organization Review
In the summer of 2013, the GTC initiated a process to evaluate the sustainability of its existing HR Policies
and structures. The Association of
Management, Consulting and Management and Evaluation Services
(AMCES) were hired to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the existing
human resource situation from both
a governance and an operational perspective. The anticipated results for
the 2013/2014 fiscal year were:
1. New job descriptions for all GTC
employees
2.A revision to all pay scales for the
organization
3. A new performance evaluation
scheme
4.A new organizational design, with
new lines of authority and a new
departmental scheme
Update:
• New job descriptions have been
competed.
• Pay scales of the organization have
been reviewed.
• A new performance evaluation
The Gwich’in Council International
(GCI) was established as a non-profit
organization in 1999 by the Gwich’in
Tribal Council in Inuvik, NWT, to ensure
that all regions of the Gwich’in Nation
in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and
Alaska are represented at the Arctic
Council. The GCI also plays an active
and significant role in the development
of policies that relate to the Circumpolar Arctic. GTC assumed chairmanship
of the GCI for a one year term in August, 2014. Bobbie Jo Greenland-Morgan was appointed as GCI Chairperson,
effective October 22, 2014.
Records Management
The GTC is in the process of adopting a
centralized filing management system
to better manage records and documents. An information management
specialist was engaged to determine
steps that need to be taken. Work has
begun on this initiative and policies
and procedures are being developed to
ensure that the records management
procedures are established and maintained throughout the organization.
2014 Year End Reports
The following reports have been posted on the GTC website:
• GTC Annual Report 2013 – 2014
• GTC AGA Resolutions 2014
9
Finance Department
With the Gwich’in Development Corporation (GDC), we will continue to
closely monitor our asset mix and the
performance of our investment managers to ensure that our investment
objectives are achieved. To ensure a
continued high level of transparency
and accountability, organizations that
receive funding from GSC will continue
to provide an annual budget and work
plan and quarterly progress reports.
Financial Management
T
he GTC will continue to review the
performance of all of our programs
to ensure continuous improvements
in the quality of services to our participants in a financially efficient manner.
We will continue to improve our budget management system to provide
more timely and detailed financial
information for transparency and accountability of all operations.
More management information will be
provided to the Board on projects and
programs. Financial by-laws, policies
and procedures are being updated, and
financial systems are being reviewed.
This will lead to stronger financial controls and better risk management.
The overall financial performance of
the GTC has been strong over the last
couple of years, but the current problem being experienced in the financial
markets and the recent drop in resource prices are being closely monitored. When the GTC budget for the
2014-15 was approved in March, we
projected revenues of $10.0 million
and expenses of $10.2 million. After six
months of operation, we now hope to
balance our budget on a non-consolidated basis this year.
The performance of GDC will be closely monitored. GDC will manage risks
by evaluating the current investment
portfolio, with consideration given to
restructuring, maintaining management and administrative overhead
in GDC and subsidiaries at sustainable levels, and by looking at investment prospects inside and outside the
Gwich’in Settlement Area.
Gwich’in Elders at Self-Government Conference. Standing: Sarah Jerome, Freddy Jerome, Alice Vittrekwa, Alestine Andre, Peter Kay Jr.,
Ernest Vittrekwa, Robert McLeod, Norman Snowshoe, Fanny Greenland and Mabel Brown.
Seated: Stephen Bonnetplume, Renie Stewart, Annie B. Gordon, Mary Teya and Eileen Koe (photo credit: GTC)
10
Lands, Resources &
Intergovernmental
Affairs
Patrick Tomlinson,
Director
Self-Government
The GTC continues to negotiate selfgovernment with the governments of
Canada and NWT. At present, the parties are meeting every three months sometimes in Yellowknife, sometimes
in Edmonton, and about half the time
in Gwich’in communities. For example,
next January the main table negotiations are scheduled to take place in
Fort McPherson. Next March, they are
scheduled for Aklavik.
Following the instruction of several
GTC Board motions, as well as Annual
General Assembly (AGA) motions in
2013 and 2014, the Gwich’in negotiation team is made up of six individuals:
one representative from each community Designated Gwich’in Organization
(DGO), the Vice President of the GTC,
and the Director of Intergovernmental
Relations. Currently, the community
representatives are: Eugene Pascal
(Aklavik), Barry Greenland (Inuvik),
David Krutko (Fort McPherson), and
Carolyn Lennie (Tsiigehtchic).
In May 2014, the GTC negotiation team
submitted to the governments a 39
chapter, 105 page position paper that
contains proposals for an agreementin-principle. The position paper was
developed by the negotiation team in
a series of strategic sessions and ultimately approved by the GTC Board
of Directors in April. Since delivery to
the governments, the position paper
has formed the basis for all negotiations and the GTC has received positive feedback. It is anticipated that the
document will be completely reviewed
by all parties by January 2015, at which
time a more serious set of negotiations
will commence.
At a recent negotiation session, the
GTC confirmed a very important point
related to self-government that should
be of interest to many: Status Indian
Non-Insured Health Benefits will not
be affected by a Gwich’in self-government. This means that the various vision care, prescription drugs and other
benefits from the Non-Insured Health
Benefits program would continue undisturbed if the Gwich’in vote in favour
of a self-government agreement.
GCLCA Implementation
The GTC Intergovernmental Lands
and Resources department continues
to implement the GCLCA by various
means and activities. The most important meetings on implementation continue to be the Implementation Committee meetings (3 or 4 times a year).
The most recent meeting took place
in Yellowknife in July 2014. At that
meeting, GTC secured several commitments from the governments, including a $50,000 grant to re-print revised
copies of the GCLCA. The GTC hopes
to have the new copies of the GCLCA
printed by April 2015, at which time
copies will be distributed to each DGO.
Other discussions that took place at
the previous Committee meeting include: a review of the dispute resolution chapter; a clarification of the GTC
role on outstanding Treaty 11 issues;
and the development of a plan to consider further activities associated with
Chapter 10: Economic Measures.
The review of the 10 Year Implementation Plan continues. Recently, GTC met
with community representatives and
Renewable Resource Council officials
in Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic and
Aklavik, as well as with the Gwich’in
Renewable Resource Board in Inuvik. It
is expected that the work plan associated with the 10 Year Implementation
Plan will be signed off by the parties in
December. GTC will continue to meet
with community representatives as requested to review the work plan contents and answer any questions.
GTC Board of Directors. In this photo: Carolyn Lennie, Barry Greenland, Norman Snowshoe, David Krutko (photo credit: GTC)
11
Intergovernmental Curriculum Committee. Standing: Patrick Tomlinson, John Norbert, Diana Barr, Sarah Jerome, Alestine Andre,
Velma Illasiak, Shannon Jensen, Sharon Snowshoe, Liz Gordon and William George Firth. Front: Bertha Francis and Diane Baxter
(photo credit: GTC)
The financial terms related to the 10
Year Plan will begin in mid-November,
when representatives from the Governments of Canada and the Northwest
Territories travel to Inuvik to meet with
Vice President Norman Snowshoe.
The GTC is now committed to producing several high school courses by April
1, 2015. The first course will be taught
in Fort McPherson and Aklavik in the
last semester of the 2014-15 school
year. Several others will follow in September.
10 Year Human
Resources Strategy
Also related to the 10 Year HR Strategy is a plan to reform the collection,
management and storage of enrollment information by the Gwich’in Enrollment Board. GTC staff, including
the enrollment board coordinator, the
IT specialist and members of the intergovernmental relations team are now
redesigning the application form and
the identity cards used by the Enrollment Board.
As explained at the 2014 AGA, the GTC
is currently planning and executing a
10 Year Human Resources (HR) Strategy to address community concerns
related to Gwich’in capacity to take
on the work of self-government. One
key component of the HR strategy is a
reform of the public school curriculum
in GSA high achools. The GTC has convened an Advisory committee of specialists in related fields to provide advice and suggestions about a new set
of high school courses that will focus
on Gwich’in history and culture.
of GTC staff. The first communities to
be targeted will be Yellowknife, Edmonton and Whitehorse in December
2014. Participants living in GSA communities will be approached in January
and February 2015.
As part of these changes, GTC staff will
be contacting all Gwich’in participants
to confirm their personal information
and to acquire some extra information
to add to our system. Participants will
be given the option to fill out the form
online, or in person with the assistance
12
Gwich’in Services
Robert Charlie, Director
T
he Gwich’in Services team consists
of the following staff:
Margaret Gordon
Manager Education and Training
Cheryl Wright
Office Manager
Gina Firth
Receptionist
Suraj Chhetri
IT Support
Mariah Peterson
Career Development Officer
Susan Ross
Resolution Health Support Worker
We are responsible for various activities within the department that I will
report on:
Recruitment
We continue to assist with vacancies
within various departments in the organization.
Education & Training
We have 3 sources of funding available
for those who want to continue their
education.
The Education Foundation supports Gwich’in Participants attending Post-Secondary institutions who
have obtained major funding for their
program. The Education Foundation
will provide a top-up bursary to assist
these students. We have received approximately 45 applications for bursaries for this semester.
The Imperial Fund is for students attending programs related to the Oil
and Gas industry. The Imperial Fund
will provide a top-up bursary to these
students.
The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS)
fund assists clients with education and
training that will lead to employment.
The current agreement will end on
March 31, 2015. We anticipate that the
ASETS agreement will continue with
some minor changes. There have been
some initial consultation sessions, but
we have not had any further meetings.
In addition, we provide scholarships
and graduation gifts from the Education Foundation. Students must
achieve an 80% average to be eligible
for the scholarships and must obtain
a certificate of graduation to receive
graduation gifts.
Gwich’in Services. Standing: Suraj Chhetri, Mariah Peterson, Cheryl Wright, Margaret Gordon and Robert Charlie.
Seated: Susan Ross and Georgina Firth (photo credit: GTC)
13
Activities:
We have been quite busy in the education and training area with the following activities:
• Assisting clients with resume writing, job searches and training requests
• Aurora College – Mobile Trades
Training Lab. We are partnering with
the College to deliver a “Building
Trades Helper” program from August
to October
• We are also partnering with the College and IRC on a Personal Support
Worker program which started in September, 2014
• We will assist clients with training to
employment on the Tuk Highway project.
ASETS:
The Aboriginal Skills to Employment
Training Program (ASETS) is delivered by GTC on behalf of Service Canada. This is a five year program up to
March 31st, 2015. The three strategic
priorities of ASETS are:
• Demand driven skills development,
• Partnerships with the private sector
and across the whole of government ,
and
• Accountability for improved results.
The following are some of the objectives of the program:
• Help improve the employment opportunities of aboriginal people
• Enable them to fully participate in
the Canadian economy
• Increase the participation in the Canadian Labour Market
• Be responsive to the skills demands
of employers and promote strategic
partnerships with the private sector.
Our Operational Plan with Service
Canada has been accepted and we are
presently assisting clients with training that will lead to employment. The
criteria for ASETS are very specific. The
program objective is to improve the
“Employability of Aboriginal People”
within the GSA.
Wellness
We are concentrating on support to clients who are going through the Independent Assessment Process related
to claims under the Indian Residential
School program. In addition, we have
taken on the responsibility of assisting
clients with their applications for Personal Education Credits. Clients who
have received a Common Experience
Payment are eligible for a $3000 dollar Personal Education Credits. These
credits can be used for their education,
transferred to family, or used for other eligible wellness-related activities.
A majority of clients are using these
credits for on-the-land activities. The
deadlines are very tight and there are
a lot of issues with the implementation
of this program, but we are doing the
best we can under the circumstances.
The following are the deadlines:
• October 31, 2014 PEC application
deadline
• December 31, 2014 Personal education credits must be spent based
on what you have identified in the Redemption form.
• April 30, 2015 Educational services
where credits are being applied must
be completed.
Other Services
Regional Training Partnership (RTP)
Margaret Gordon attends the meetings of the RTP to strategize with other education service providers in Inuvik
on potential opportunities for training
in the region.
Enrolment This is an on-going activity.
To date, we have approximately 3400
participants enrolled.
ress. We have received the report from
the Contractor and will be reviewing
it with the Communities to get their
input and final decision. This will then
be presented to the Board for their approval and we can implement this new
Policy for the spring, 2015 allocation.
GTC Human Resources Manual The
final draft has been completed. This
will be presented to the GTC Board for
their approval.
GTC Safety Manual This manual has
been completed. We have formed a
Health and Safety Committee and are
holding regular monthly meetings.
Margaret Gordon is the lead on this
committee.
Liaison Community Employment Officers contact us daily to provide assistance with their day-to-day tasks.
We support the employment officers in
Aklavik, Ft McPherson and Tsiigehtchic
with their client interactions and also
provide them with training support.
Administration We assist clients with
funding requests, job searches and resumes, update the KETO database and
develop contribution agreements.
Information Technology A new server
and telephone system have been installed. We are up to speed with the
latest technology.
This ends my report. On behalf of
Gwich’in Services, I would like to thank
you for the opportunity to provide you
with an update on our activities.
Haii
Robert Charlie
Director, Gwich’in Services
Gwich’in Harvester’s Assistance Program A review of the GHAP is in prog-
14
Gwich’in
Development
Corporation
W
e are happy to bring you this
update on the activities of your
Gwich’in Development Corporation
(GDC). Change began in September
2013 with a new Board of Directors out
of a selection of candidates from across
Canada. Most recently, the Board has
hired a President and Managing Director for Dinjii Zhuh.
The first order of business: to strengthen the GDC with the goal to be a positive contributor to the GTC and to the
the Gwich’in People. The objective is
to look at each business interest and
to decide what action is required in
the best interests of the Gwich’in People. Most importantly and immediate are decisions with Dinjii Zhuh and
Mackenzie Valley Construction. Dinjii
Zhuh has consistently lost money and
Mackenzie Valley Construction has no
management structure to carry it forward as an operating company. Both
companies have some excellent assets
– equipment, land and contracts. The
goal is to undertake business decisions
that allow the GDC to take advantage
of the best, while getting rid of the rest.
Many will have heard now of the
change with Dinjii Zhuh. Dinjii Zhuh
holds the road maintenance contract
on the Dempster Highway between
Mile “0” and Mile 146. The management team reviewed all options available for reorganization of delivery
of the contract and determined that
they best was to subcontract the road
maintenance to a private operator out
of Fort MacPherson. Winter is not the
best time of the year to make a major change, but change was required.
The road maintenance contract is now
being done by LJ Contracting, a 50%
Gwich’in-owned company that will
carry on the contract for the next six
months to allow GDC management
to fully review all options for the road
maintenance. We now look to a positive contribution for the GDC from the
operations of the maintenance contract by LJ Contracting.
Another major initiative underway at
this time is providing assistance to the
GTC in negotiations with the Government of the Northwest Territories for
access to construct the proposed fibre
optic line to Inuvik. The line is proposed
to cross approximately 180 kilometers
of Gwich’in land. Other than securing
lease fees, there was not much security in the Gwich’in receiving contracting
and employment benefits. The GDC
management has been working with
the GTC to negotiate a Benefit Agreement that would see the Gwich’in being directly involved in the construction activities along the fibre optic line
within the Gwich’in Land Settlement
Area.
Another initiative is the GDC involvement in a project at the Inuvik Airport.
These are just a couple of the significant
initiatives underway. In all of these, the
objective is to build on the strengths of
the past towards a sustainable future
for the GDC and the Gwich’in People
from the activities of the Gwich’in Development Corporation.
Photo credit: GTC
15
Gwìch’inat Eenjit
Gàdatr’igwijìlcheii Gidilii
Gwich’in land, culture & economy for a better future
Gwìch’in nan, nakhwek’yùu ts’àt gwitr’it tthak
nakhwidavee gwiheezàa eenjit
2014 ELECTION INFORMATION
NOTICE OF CANDIDATES NOMINATED
Notice is hereby given to the eligible voters of the Gwich’in Tribal Council that the
following individuals have been nominated for the following position:
President:
James A. Wilson
Richard Nerysoo
ADVANCE POLLS
November 5, 2014
Advance Poll hours shall be from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Polling Locations:
EHDllTAT GWICH’IN COUNCIL -Aklavik
NIHTAT GWICH’IN COUNCIL - lnuvik
CHIEF PAUL NIDITCHIE GYMNASIUM - Tsiigehtchic
CHll TSAL DIK GWIZHEH (the Lodge) - Fort McPherson
REGULAR POLLS
November 17, 2014
Polling hours shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Polling Locations:
EHDllTAT GWICH’IN COUNCIL -Aklavik
NIHTAT GWICH’IN COUNCIL - Inuvik
CHIEF PAUL NIDITCHIE GYMNASIUM - Tsiigehtchic
CHII TSAL DIK GWIZHEH (the Lodge) - Fort McPherson
GTC ELECTIONS OFFICE
Mary Ann Ross, Chief Returning Officer
198 Mackenzie Road, Capital Suites, Suite 117
PO Box 3050, Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-4440 Fax: (867) 777-4441
gtcelections2014@outlook.com
16
Gwich’in Harvesters Assistance Program
T
he Gwich’in Harvesters Assistance Trust was set up to assist our harvesters. This year
we processed all the applications as prescribed by the Gwich’in Harvesters Assistance Program (GHAP) Policy. If there were any issues with the allocation process, the
GHAP appeal process was used to address the concerns. 88 participants were eligible for
assistance.
Over the years, there have been many issues raised with this program. This year the GTC
hired Brian Penney to carry out a review of the GHAP based on direction from the communities. Mr. Penney went to all the communities and conducted interviews. Based on
these interviews he provided the GTC with his recommendations. The GTC is currently
reviewing these recommendations. It is very important that we do this analysis to ensure
that the GHAP Trust can sustain any additional funding requirements. The review also
discussed the roles of the Renewable Resources and the Program Management Committee. All communities will be informed of the direction the GHAP will take as it assist
all Harvesters.
Peel Watershed Litigation
T
he GTC has taken a strong stand opposing Yukon Government’s proposed Land Use Plan for the Peel Watershed region. For the past six months, GTC has acted as an
intervener in a legal action brought by a consortium of Yukon First Nations and environmental groups to strike down
a Yukon Government plan and to reinstate a Land Use Plan
for the Peel that was created by the Planning Commission
in 2012.
The Gwich’in own numerous parcels of land in the Peel Watershed and enjoy hunting and trapping rights – in addition
to other rights – in an even larger area throughout Yukon.
The various Gwich’in rights, benefits and conditions of land
ownership in Yukon are contained in Appendix C of the
GCLCA, the Yukon Transboundary Agreement.
In July, the entire GTC Board of Directors travelled to Whitehorse to attend a four day court session to go over the facts
of the case and hear the two sides. The parties were then
asked by the judge to attend a one day court session in October to review possible remedies.
The judge is expected to release his judgment by Christmas.
Vice President Norman Snowshoe and citizens of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation and Nacho Nyak Dun First Nation
gather during a break at the Peel Watershed Trial in Whitehorse, YT (photo credit: GTC)
17
Designated
Gwich’in
Organizations
Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council
(EGC)
D
rin Gwiinzii. We are pursuing additional training for Tourism Guides
for Tourism Small Business Development. They were trained in Aklavik
and many of them have achieved their
Level I and Level II in Tourism Guiding.
We have accessed funding from the
GNWT Anti-Poverty Program and have
starting fishing to help low-income
families and Elders offset the high cost
of living in Aklavik and to provide nutritional country food. We are getting
ready for fishing under the ice and
will include workshops and traditional
knowledge from our Elders about fishing methods and fish preparation.
This month, we will be working on the
Aklavik Visitors Centre, upgrading and
building displays to have it ready for
next season. We are going to get the
wood stove installed and start working
on finishing the logs and stairs as well.
Other Activities:
• Building gardening infrastructure
through raised bed gardens and garden start-ups.
• Receiving and distributing a few
bedding plants in the community this
past growing season.
• We presented the EGC audit at our
Annual Assembly for the EGC; it was
approved by membership.
• Acceptance and approval of the revised Bylaw No. 1 and the transition to
the Canada Not-for-Profit Act.
• Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council Elections
will take place on Nov 17th; early poll
on the 5th for 7 directors.
• Starting work for Gwich’in Municipal lands, including creating files on all
properties registered to the EGC.
We believe in working cooperatively
with other organizations. We support
community initiatives and activities.
The Take Back the Night event was
very successful. The Health Center’s
CHR Gladys Edwards and Health and
Social Services walked with supporters
around town and ended up here at the
Band Office for donuts and chili (sponsored by the AIB).
The EGC will continue to be involved
in cultural and language activities. We
are getting ready to help families that
want to learn about fishing and fish
preparation.
The office has been busy with meetings for Self-government, Youth Council, GTC Implementation of the GCLCA
and new programs. We welcome and
encourage the membership to visit our
office and stop by for coffee.
Hai Choo,
Robert Buckle, Executive Director
Gwichya Gwich’in Council
(GGC)
T
he GGC of Tsiigehtchic was elected in December 2013 for a one
year term as per the 1992 Bylaw #1.
Elected were President Carolyn Lennie and Members John D. Firth, Charlene Blake, Maureen Cardinal-Clark,
Herbert (Mickey) Andre and Margaret
Nazon.
Since 2010, the GGC has taken measures to update their Bylaw #1. A draft
Bylaw #1 was presented to the Gwicha
Gwich’in Annual Assembly in 2012 and
2013, with approval to make changes
and incorporate changes of the new
regulations under the not-for-profit
legislation coming into effect October
2014. In July 2014, the GGC received
notification from Industry Canada that
the Council is now in compliance with
the new legislation. The name change
“Gwichya Gwich’in” has been accepted
and a notice of continuance was issued.
Interests of the Gwichya Gwich’in
are represented in various forums:
Gwich’in Self-Government, Gwich’in
Tribal Council board of directors,
Gwich’in Renewable Resource Council, and with the Government of the
Northwest Territories.
The next GGC elections will be held in
December 2014 to coincide with our
Gwichya Gwich’n Annual General Assembly. Since the new Bylaw changes,
the term will be for a three (3) year period for President and Council.
If you have any questions, please
feel free to contact the GGC office at
(867) 953-3110.
Mahsi Cho,
Carolyn Lennie, President
The elected Council completed a strategic plan, budget and work plan for
the period of April 1st, 2014 to March
31, 2015. The operating theme for the
GGC for the next year is “Evolving”. The
Council felt that, over the past couple
of years, the goal is moving forward
and advancing the Gwicha Gwich’in interest at all levels: community, regional, and territorial.
18
Designated
Gwich’in
Organizations
Gwich’in and we will be seeking community input on what our members
want in a building. We are looking to
have the building completed by August
2015.
(NGC)
The Nihtat Corporation has also leased
the shop and gas bar known as Mackenzie Valley Construction from the
Gwich’in Development Corporation.
We will be providing fuel services, automotive repairs and servicing, storage and vehicle rentals. This will not
only provide alternative options for our
community, but it will also create employment opportunities. We also continue to push for economic opportunities for our membership with regard to
projects that occur in the Inuvik region,
like the Mackenzie Fiber Link Project.
I
t is my pleasure to provide this update
of the NGC activities for this newsletter. The current NGC Directors are
Amy Amos, Barry Greenland, Duane
Debastien, Richard Ross Jr. and myself,
Jozef Carnogursky as President. The
NGC appointed members to the GTC
are myself and Barry Greenland. Staff
at NGC consist of Terry Peterson, LeeAnn Nerysoo and Allen Firth.
The NGC has been very busy on a number of initiatives. We continue to show
strong management with regard to financial matters both under NGC and
within our business ventures. In fact,
during our term, we have produced
surpluses and profits in all of our ventures that are currently operating and
we have controlled spending which
has increased our accumulated surplus
for the last 2 consecutive years. Grizzly Marine Services Ltd. for example,
has injected over $1 million in wages
into communities last year alone,
while continuing to make profits for
its shareholders. Over the last year, we
have also employed over 30 people in
various positions.
As a result of our management controls, we are now in a position to utilize
the profits generated by our economic
arm. Just recently, the NGC decided to
purchase some commercial property
here in Inuvik. We are in the process of
designing a new building for the Nihtat
The NGC has also been a strong supporter in community functions.Last
year, we donated over $20,000 to different initiatives. Some of these initiatives include donations to Aboriginal
Day, Canada Day, Gwich’in Day and
the East Three Breakfast Program. We
have donated to individuals and groups
for such things as soccer, hockey, basketball, curling and figure skating, and
to families that have lost loved ones
over the last year.
The last year has not been without its
challenges, but we have worked as a
team towards the best interests of our
membership.
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank all the Nihtat staff and my colleagues on Council for their continued
support and professionalism. Lastly,
and most importantly, I want to thank
my wife, family and friends for their
support during the last two years. I really appreciate it and I am truly thankful!
Best regards,
Jozef Carnogursky
President, NGC
Mackenzie River. Photo credit: GTC
Tetlit Gwich’in Council
(TGC)
T
he Tetlit Gwich’in Council held their
election on October 27th, 2014.
The newly elected representatives are:
President
Wilbert Firth
Councillors
Glen Alexie
Leslie P. Blake
Abe Wilson
David Krutko
The Council will be undergoing a group
orientation and strategic planning session in the coming weeks.
An update will be provided in the next
Gwich’in Tribal Council newsletter.
19
Gwich’in Social & Cultural Institute (GSCI)
Arctic Council –
TK Principles
GSCI has been asked by Gwich’in
Council International (GCI) to take part
in meetings and provide input into the
Traditional Knowledge (TK) Principles
being developed by the Sustainable
Development Working Group of the
Arctic Council. These Principles are
meant to guide all future Arctic Council
research. There may be opportunities
for GSCI to become involved in other
Arctic Council TK initiatives under the
wing of GCI.
GSCI Strategic Plan
Finalized Iindoo Khehłok Tr’eedah: Moving Forward as One. Gwich’in Social
and Cultural Institute 5-Year Plan 20142019.
Teetl’it Gwich’in Land
Use History Book Project
Funding committed for year 1 of 2
Over the next two years, GSCI will
work with Dr. Michael Heine and the
community of Fort McPherson on the
Teetl’it Gwich’in community history
book. Dr. Heine was awarded tenure
from Western University and is taking a one year sabbatical to work on
the book with GSCI and the Teetl’it
Gwich’in.
Berger Inquiry
GSCI will continue to work with Drew
Ann Wake, a reporter during the Berger Inquiry in the 1970s, to make her audio recording and photos (taken by Michael Jackson, legal counsel for Justice
Berger) more accessible to the public.
Dempster Highway
Grave Signage
GSCI will continue to work with Yukon
Heritage, the Tr’ondek Hwech’in and
the Teetl’it Gwich’in Council and/or
RRC to ensure that the remaining signs
are installed along the highway.
Gwich’in Curriculum
Committee
Funded by GTC
GSCI has been asked to provide input
into the curriculum that GTC is developing
in partnership with the local high
schools. Alestine is currently sitting on
the advisory committee and providing
advice and information as required.
William Koe, Peel River, 2014 (photo credit: GSCI)
20
Gwich’in Goonanh’kak
Googwandak: The
Places and Stories
of the Gwich’in
Online Atlas, Maps, Yukon submissions
Gwich’in Online Atlas with Carleton
University – funded by GNWT GSCI
will continue to work with the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre
at Carleton on the atlas.
Gwich’in Maps – 300,000 scale wall
map and series of 1:250,000 scale
maps GSCI will finalize these maps
and make them available in digital
form plus print and distribute copies to
the communities.
Gwich’in Wedding Moccasins
Yukon Official Place Name Submissions GSCI submitted 216 place names
for official recognition in the Yukon in
late March 2013. Twelve names have
been officially recognized to date.
GSCI will continue to answer any questions and, if funding permits, attend
Yukon Geographical Place Names
Board meetings in Whitehorse with
Elders from Fort McPherson to review
the submissions as they are reviewed.
Species at Risk Projects
2014-2015
Land Use Permit,
Archaeological Permit,
Scientific Research
Licence Applications &
Research Agreements
GSCI will continue to work with a
steering committee from the Prince of
Wales Northern Heritage Centre (Yellowknife) to create a number of standalone, travel and web exhibits about
this 12,000 year old find - including
an exhibit for the Chief Paul Niditchie
School in Tsiigehtchic. Ingrid is currently sitting on this committee.
GSCI continues to review permits and
applications and to negotiate Research
Agreements based on the GTC TK Policy 2004.
Mackenzie Valley
Fibre Link Project
Contract with Stantec
GSCI reviewed the draft terms of reference for an Archaeological Impact Assessment for the summer of 2014 between Fort Good Hope and Inuvik.
Funded by Species at Risk and GRRB
This project is being carried out by
the GRRB with Kristi Benson taking
the lead as researcher and GSCI staff
assisting and reviewing final reports.
Species researched include Bluenose
Caribou and Mountain Woodland Caribou.
Steppe Bison Exhibit
Students
GSCI will continue to work with the following students as needed.
• Thea Luig, Ph.D. student, University of Alberta – “Northwind or not,
we’re walking down” – Life Changes
and Well-being in a Northern Aboriginal
(photo credit: Shayla Snowshoe,
Snowshoe Studios)
Community. Teetl’it Gwich’in Stories
of Overcoming Hardship and Living a
Strong, Healthy Life.
• Crystal Fraser, Ph.D. student,
University of Alberta – History of Education in the NWT from 1940-1996.
• Angela James, Ph.D. student,
Simon Fraser University – Long Ago
and Today – A narrative focusing on stories of NWT Elders’ traditional Aboriginal pedagogies and comparing them to
contemporary educational approaches.
• Cathy McRae, M.A. student,
Lakehead University – “Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland” – An examination of the Impacts of the Mackenzie
Valley Pipeline Inquiry on Hydrocarbon
Development in the NWT 1977-2013
• Lawrence Keyte, M.A. student,
Trent University – Energy Resilience in
Northern communities – Critical Success
for Sustainable Northern Energy.
• Daryl English – Yukon College
Heritage and Cultural Program
Sharon Snowshoe
Executive Director
Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute
21
Gwich’in
Language Report
T
he Government of the NWT gave
greater responsibilities for language revitalization programs to the
aboriginal groups for the fiscal year of
2014/2015. Additional funding was
provided to aboriginal governments
to implement their regional language
plans, which were developed by each
region.
To assist with planning for implementation, the GNWT provided regional
Aboriginal Groups with $60,000 each.
This funding was used to host a regional workshop with participants from
each of the four Gwich’in communities
in April 2014.
In the workshop, participants set a
work plan based on the regional language plan. The funding was also used
for purchasing capital equipment to
assist in the delivery of the language
revitalization program. There were
seven goals identified in the work plan
in addition to continuing to work on
the online dictionary, collecting elders’
biographies and literacy projects. I will
outline three projects that we are currently working on at the current time.
Gwich’in Language
Online Dictionary
Since we began work on the online dictionary, we have accumulated numerous terms and phrases. These are now
being divided into concrete sections
for use within the database. We have
continued to record the information
we have on file and have added other
similar terms and phrases.
Eleanor Mitchell-Firth continues to record two elders in voicing over all the
entries of the Dictionary and will be entering them into the audio dictionary.
We began to work with and partnered
with the community of Old Crow,
where the Vuntut dialect is spoken.
Peter & Mary Kay
Anniversary
We are also working with a consultant
on dictionary software. We will tap into
what the dictionary software has to offer in terms of entering the data collection of dictionary terms and phrases.
Peter and Mary Kay celebrated their
75th Wedding Anniversary on July 12,
2014.
Mentor Apprentice
Workshop
The oldest living Gwich’in person,
Peter also celebrated his 99th birthday
on October 18th.
William Firth is working on delivering a mentor-apprenticeship program
in each of the Gwich’in communities.
A person who would like to learn the
Gwich’in language is buddied up with
an elder.
Mary celebrates her 95th birthday on
December 22, 2014.
Congratulations!
The apprentice commits to a total of
50 hours a month, where the elder
and apprentice have to meet and only
speak the language. There is no writing
to be done at this point. The goal is to
listen to the language and encourage
the speaking of the language. There
is an agreement between the elder as
mentor and student as apprentice on
making a commitment to the program.
A work plan has to be developed. An
evaluation must be done prior to the
program and again after the program.
If you would like to participate in this
mentor apprentice program, please
contact William at the Gwich’in Language Centre at 867-952-2377.
Gwich’in Literacy and
Liturgical Workshop
In November 18-20, 2014, the annual
Gwich’in Literacy and Liturgical workshop will be conducted by the Yukon
Native Language Center.
William
would like to invite two participants
from each of the Gwich’in communities
to participate in this workshop.
Mary & Peter Kay
(photo credit: R.A. Alexie)
If you are interested in participating in
this workshop, please contact William
at the Gwich’in Language Centre at
867-952-2377.
22
Run to Protect
the Peel
H
ello to all Gwich’in! I am so grateful, thankful, and appreciative towards the strong base of Gwich’in supporters out there for my long Protect
the Peel runs! A very big Hai Cho for
your prayers, thoughts, and personal
donations during my runs! I want you
to know that your help saved my arse
on the highways this spring and summer!
I want to take this opportunity to express my respects and empathy to
Renie and the Alexie family for their
tragic loss of our friend and President
Robert Alexie Jr. Robert was a special
supporter to me. I will forever cherish
the lessons and stories he shared with
me. That man made my belly laugh so
hard! Hai Cho to Robert Alexie Jr.
I will continue to share my voice,
strengths, experiences and hopes
through my runs on the NWT highways
and ice roads. Running long distance is
my gift and I will continue to run for the
protection of Peel Watershed. My wish
is to bring youth with me in the Peel
Watershed for a Youth Leadership Running Camp someday. Once again thank
you for being there for me. My efforts
are your efforts!
Long live the Peel Watershed.
Sincerely,
Caribou Legs
(Brad Firth)
Photo credit: Brad Firth
23
Contact Us
Gwichya Gwich’in Council
PO Box 58 Tsiigehtchic NT X0E 0B0
Ph: 867-953-3011 Fax: 867-953-3018
Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council
PO Box 118 Aklavik NT X0E 0A0
Ph: 867-978-2340 Fax: 867-978-2937
Tetlit Gwich’in Council
PO Box 30 Fort McPherson X0E 0J0
Ph: 867-952-2330 Fax: 867-952-2212
PO Box 2570 Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Ph: 867-777-6650 Fax: 867-777-6651
To update your mailing address, please call the Enrolment office (toll free): 1-866-414-4670
Winter Scenery (photo credit:GTC)
@GwichinSelfgovt
@gwichintribalcouncil
1-3 Council Crescent/ PO Box 1509
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-7900
Fax: (867) 777-7919
facebook.com/gwichinselfgovernment
www.gwichintribalcouncil.com
24

Now! - Gwich`in Tribal Council

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