Premier RJ Simpson will be joined in Ottawa by leaders from a dozen or more Indigenous groups and governments for meetings with federal ministers next week.
In a statement, the premier said travelling alongside other members of the Council of Leaders – a body that features the GNWT and a selection of Indigenous leaders – was “reconciliation in action.”
The group of at least 13 people (other NWT cabinet members and observers may attend) has meetings confirmed with six federal ministers. More could be added.
“The meetings in Ottawa scheduled in October are an opportunity for the NWT Council of Leaders to raise awareness about the NWT’s unique context and challenges and advance collectively key priorities for a more sustainable, resilient, and healthy territory,” a spokesperson for cabinet said by email.
Simpson said travelling to Ottawa en masse was an example of “reinforcing our commitment to building a prosperous future that creates an environment in which Indigenous residents and communities can one day thrive.”
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
According to the GNWT, leaders of the following governments and groups will join Simpson on the trip:
- Acho Dene Koe First Nation
- Łútsël K’é Dene First Nation
- Délı̨nę Got’ınę Government
- Gwich’in Tribal Council
- Kátł’odeeche First Nation
- Nahanni Butte Dene Band
- North Slave Métis Alliance
- Northwest Territory Métis Nation
- Salt River First Nation
- Sahtu Secretariat Inc
- Tłı̨chǫ Government
- Dehcho First Nations
The GNWT said the Dehcho First Nations was attending as a guest.
Federal ministers with whom meetings have been booked include northern affairs minister Dan Vandal, housing minister Sean Fraser and foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly, who is in the process of developing an Arctic foreign policy that will affect northern interests.
Meetings are also booked with defence minister Bill Blair, environment minister Steven Guilbeault and intergovernmental affairs minister Dominic LeBlanc, the GNWT added.
Agendas for those meetings haven’t been published and the leaders travelling haven’t specified priorities. However, the list of meetings suggests infrastructure like the Mackenzie Valley Highway and Taltson hydro expansion, the NWT’s ongoing housing crisis, defence investment in the North and the carbon tax could be among issues on the table.
