The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Gwich’in Tribal Council say they have started discussing how to work together on defence and infrastructure projects.
The result will be an economic development cooperation memorandum of understanding between the two Indigenous organizations, they said in an October 30 joint news release.
The IRC and GTC said the agreement will address how the two groups work together on projects like the proposed expansion of Inuvik’s forward operating location.
“Canada’s planned defence expenditures in the North present a tremendous opportunity to achieve significant economic development to benefit all Gwich’in and Inuvialuit, especially our youth,” Gwich’in Tribal Council Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr was quoted as saying.
“Taking this course will benefit future generations of Gwich’in and Inuvialuit and demonstrate the strength of our respective treaties as the basis for this collaborative effort.”
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The agreement also aims to protect the land, water, wildlife, culture and ways of life of the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in, the news release said.
The IRC and GTC said the agreement demonstrates how Indigenous rights holders and governments can work together to “strengthen Canadian Arctic sovereignty and national defence in the North,” and rights holders can be active contributors to Canada’s defence objectives instead of just partners.
The agreement will respect the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. The governments said their approach will also show how respecting those agreements can move projects forward in a “timely and durable” way.
“Canada needs partners that can deliver in the Arctic, and Inuvialuit are ready,” said IRC Chair Erwin Elias.
“Our board, our community corporations and our businesses are prepared to turn this investment into jobs, training and infrastructure that last for generations.”
