A project spearheaded by the Gwich'in Tribal Council has been awarded a 2019-2020 Premier's Award for Excellence.
Premier Caroline Cochrane announced the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement Treaty Modernization Team (GCLCATMT) was named the winner of the Indigenous Partnership Award during a Feb. 16 video broadcast.
"This award recognizes the work of Government of Northwest Territories employees in collaboration with Indigenous governments and organizations," said Cochrane. "The Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim agreement is made up of nominees that came together to utilize Canada's recognition of Indigenous Rights and Determination approach in order to implement a first-of-its-kind in Canada treaty modernization process that provides flexibility to advance treaty rights and interests in new an exciting ways."
This is the first time the Indigenous Partnership Award has been presented. The GCLCATMT shared the award with the Protected Areas Act Technical Working Group, which helped develop the new Protected Areas Act.
Cochrane said the working group was able to word the Act in such a way that it reflected the needs of both the GNWT as well as Indigenous Governments in the NWT.
"The final bill received overwhelming support from Indigenous Governments and the Legislative Assembly when it assented in June, 2019," said Cochrane.
Announced annual to award excellence in performance among government employees, the Premier's Awards of Excellence had to be held online this year because of Covid-19 concerns.
Also awarded for exemplary services was John Boudreu, an Airport Marine service electrician who works in the department of infrastructure, the Aurora College Student Information team and the Stanton Renewal Project and Leadership team.
GTC Grand Chief Ken Smith said the award was a nice recognition of important work the GCLCATMT had been engaged in to keep the agreement current and up to date with modern legal practices and definitions.
"It's an ongoing process," he said. "It's things like this that keep this agreement relevant and focused on the spirit and intent of the agreement itself.
"There are periodic discussions required. Right now we're focused on such things as board appointments, dispute resolution. Those have been problematic in the past, so those among other items we've been looking to address."
He noted the work also reflected a renewed interest from the federal government on reviewing release clauses and other concessions in the original agreement which are inconsistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples — which both Ottawa and the Northwest Territories are moving towards adopting.
With that in mind, the Smith said GTC was trying to be ahead of the curve when that happens.
"We would like to thank the GNWT for the nomination and the recognition of the good work of our team," he said. "Most notably former Deputy Grand Chief Jordan Peterson and implementation advisor Diane Baxter."
Watch the award video:
