CanNor Invests In Gwich'In Economic Prosperity

CanNor-10-020

Yellowknife (Northwest Territories), June 22, 2010 – The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency will invest in the management of sub-surface resources for the Gwich’in Tribal Council.

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), today announced that CanNor will invest a total of $125,000 to the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) to facilitate a call for bids for petroleum rights issuance. This investment will enable the GTC to develop geological, marketing and legal tools to support the management of these resources. 

“This project will help the Gwich’in Tribal Council assess the geological potential of its lands and develop the tools it requires to manage these resources in the future. Our Government is committed to supporting Northerners and Aboriginal People as they work to secure their economic prosperity,” said Minister Strahl, who is also the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.  

“By creating a template for community consultation, the Gwich’in Tribal Council is also ensuring that all communities within their region have a say in natural resource development on their lands,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health. ”This template will also be shared with other claimant groups in the Central Mackenzie Valley.”

"On behalf of the Gwich'in Tribal Council, I would like to thank CanNor for providing the resources and support needed to  complete a successful project," said Richard Nerysoo, President of the GTC. "This work is a good template for oil and gas management on Aboriginal lands and an example for a policy that can be used  by other First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples."

The GTC is the Aboriginal organization established to administer the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. It represents Gwich’in members in the Mackenzie Delta region of the Northwest Territories and throughout Canada.

Funding for the second phase of this venture was provided through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. SINED is delivered by CanNor in the three territories.

CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering federal economic development activities in the territories, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.

 

Backgrounder - Government Of Canada Supports Gwich’In Measures To Attract Petroleum Industry Bids

To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan  , please visit the web site

 

For further information, please contact:

Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Press Secretary
819-997-0002

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Petra White
Communications Advisor
(867) 669-2580
Petra.White@cannor.gc.ca

Gwich'in Tribal Council
Wanda McDonald
Chief Operating Officer
867-777-7923 
www.gwichin.nt.ca