Negotiators in Ottawa for the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Government Inc., the GNWT, and Canada have initialled the draft final self-government agreement for the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę in Ottawa.
Proponents stated this significant milestone demonstrates progress for the the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Norman Wells, moving toward self-government and charting their own way to a brighter future for their community. (Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę is pronounced T’le-go-tlee Go-t’ee, with clicking sounds)
Sherry Hodgson is President of Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’ine Government Inc.
Norman Wells from the air. (Image courtesy of GNWT)
She stated in a release: “Today marks another very important milestone for the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę on our more than 100-year journey toward recognition of our inherent right of self-determination and the rejuvenation of our ancestral self-government.”
The final self-government agreement meets a key legal obligation under the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, in which the parties agreed that the Sahtu communities could each negotiate self-government agreements at the community level.
The agreement outlines how the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Government will exercise its inherent right of self-government.
Premier RJ Simpson stated the initialling of the final self-government agreement is, “a vital step in advancing reconciliation and ensuring that Indigenous Peoples have the tools and resources to govern in a way that reflects their priorities and aspirations.”
Federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree stated that: “Recognizing and implementing the self-determination rights of the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę is a crucial step in moving beyond colonial systems of governance and restoring the community’s rightful authority.”
After the agreement is initialled, the next step is community ratification, during which approval is sought from Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’ine leadership and members.
Once ratified, the agreement will be signed by all parties. Following the signing, it will be made legally binding through the passage of territorial and federal legislation.
Self-government agreements have been or are being negotiated with each of the five Indigenous communities in the Sahtu Region.
Formal self-government negotiations began with the framework agreement signed in 2007.
