Gwich'in Tribal Council rejects superboard proposal

The Gwich'in Tribal Council is rejecting proposed changes to the Mackenzie Resource Management Act. The unanimous decision was made at a meeting held in Inuvik by community leadership representing all four Gwichin communities.

The federal government wants to merge regional land and water boardsinto one superboard. That would eliminatethe Gwichin Land and Water Board.

But Gwich'in Tribal Council president Robert AlexieJr. says the Gwich'in Land and Water Board was set up so people could have a meaningful say in development in the settlement area. In a statement, he calls the draft legislation a step backwards.

My people have spoken, and what Canada is proposing is clearly unacceptable, AlexieJr. said.

He says the federal government plans to finalize amendments to the act by the end of the month.

The decision to reject the changes was made followingmeetings held across the Mackenzie Delta last week. Senior officials of the council travelled to Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson and Inuvik to discuss the issue with Gwichin residents and key stakeholders.