Archived - 1998-1999 Annual Report of the Implementation Committee Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement
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Table of contents
- 1. Features of the Agreement
- 2. Highlights
- 3. Implementation Committee
- 4. Implementing Bodies
- 5. The Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
- 6. Government of the Northwest Territories
- 7. Government of Canada
- Appendix A1: Membership of Implementing Bodies (as of March 31, 1999)
- Appendix A2: Map of Sahtu Settlement Area
- Appendix A3: Schedule of Capital Transfer Payments, 1994 to 1998
- Appendix A4: Implementation Payments, 1994 - 1995 to 1998 - 1999
- Appendix A5: Resource Royalties 1993 to 1998
- Appendix A6: Property Taxes Paid to GNWT 1994 to 1998
Foreword
The Implementation Committee is pleased to provide its fifth annual report on the implementation of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. The report covers the fiscal year extending from April 1, 1998 to March 31, 1999.
The Implementation Committee is composed of a senior official from each of the parties: the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada. It functions by consensus and serves as a forum where parties can raise issues and voice their concerns.
The role of the Implementation Committee is to oversee, direct and monitor the implementation of the Agreement. This annual report describes achievements and developments during the year. Information is contributed by various federal and territorial departments, The Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and other bodies established under the Agreement.
We are committed to strengthening the partnerships that are key to the successful implementation of this Agreement. Our achievements to date are the product of partners working together to recognize Aboriginal rights in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and the commitment of the parties to fulfil obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
Sahtu Secretariat IncorporatedGovernment of the Northwest Territories
Government of Canada
Glossary of Acronyms and Abbreviations
AGJV | Arctic Goose Joint Venture |
CEAA | Canadian Environmental Assessment Act |
CIB | Claims Implementation Branch |
CIM | Cumulative Impact Monitoring |
CWG | Constitutional Working Group |
CWS | Canadian Wildlife Service |
DFO | Department of Fisheries and Oceans |
DIAND | Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development |
EC | Environment Canada |
GIS | Geographic Information System |
GNWT | Government of the Northwest Territories |
HRDC | Human Resources Development Canada |
MBCA | Migratory Birds Convention Agreement |
MVEIRB | Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board |
MVRMA | Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act |
NEB | National Energy Board |
NRCan | Natural Resources Canada |
NWT | Northwest Territories |
RAN | Resource Access Negotiations |
RBA | Regional Bilateral Agreement |
RRC | Renewable Resources Council |
RWED | Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development |
SRRB | Sahtu Renewable Resources Board |
SSA | Sahtu Settlement Area |
1 Features of the Agreement
In July 1993, the Sahtu Dene and Metis voted to approve the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. After being approved by the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories, the Agreement was signed on September 6, 1993, in Tulita (formerly Fort Norman). The Sahtu Dene and Metis Land Claim Settlement Act came into effect on June 23, 1994.
Under the Agreement, the Sahtu Dene and Metis:
- received title to 41,437 square kilometres of land in the Northwest Territories (NWT), an area slightly larger than Vancouver Island. Subsurface rights are included on 1,813 square kilometres of this land;
- will receive financial payments totalling $75 million (in 1990 dollars) over a 15-year period, as well as a share of the resource royalties paid to governments each year in the Mackenzie Valley;
- have their right to hunt and fish throughout the Sahtu Settlement Area (SSA) confirmed and their exclusive right to trap in the SSA established; and
- are guaranteed participation in institutions of public government for renewable resource management, land use planning and land and water use within the SSA, and environmental impact assessment and review within the Mackenzie Valley.
The Agreement also provides for the negotiation of self-government agreements that will be brought into effect through federal and/or territorial legislation.
2 Highlights
- On the fifth anniversary date of the Agreement, the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated received capital transfer payments of $8,300,094 after negotiation loans were deducted. The SSI was paid $211,263 in resource royalties for the year.
- The Implementation Committee approved the terms of reference for the five-year review process, oversaw the production of the Annual Report and addressed a number of implementation issues raised by the parties.
- As of June 1999, 2,598 beneficiaries were covered by the Agreement.
- The Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act received assent on June 18, 1998 and was proclaimed on December 22, 1998, fulfilling the Sahtu Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement's and the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements' obligations to legislate an integrated resource management system in the Mackenzie Valley. With the proclamation, two regional boards in each settlement area were created: the land use planning board and the land and water board. In addition, a valley-wide board was established, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB). All but Part IV of the MVRMA came into force on December 22, 1998.
- The MVEIRB reviewed and commented on 22 projects.
- In February 1999, the MVEIRB released Environmental Impact Assessment in the Mackenzie Valley, its interim guidelines for use by officers, developers and regulatory authorities. These guidelines were released in cooperation with the other regulatory authorities responsible for permitting and issuing licences.
- The Arbitration Panel completed its Commencement of Proceedings Rules which is available in English and North Slavey.
- The Sahtu Land and Water Board assumed its administrative functions over land use permits and water applications after the proclamation of the MVRMA. On February 17, 1999, the Board issued its first water licence.
- The Sahtu Land Use Planning Board concentrated its activities around institutional development, creation of a vision, capacity building and awareness. During the first months of 1999, the board began preparing a number of discussion papers and strategies on community participation, communication and information collection to guide the development of its initial work plan.
- A working group comprised of representatives of the Sahtu, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit settlement areas, the government of the Northwest Territories and observers from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Environment Canada (DOE) was established to guide the development of the cumulative impacts monitoring program for the Mackenzie Valley.
- An Economic Measures Working Group was created to clarify the intent of the economic measures chapters of the Agreement, and to develop an evaluation framework to measure the progress of implementation of the chapters.
- A Protected Area Strategy Advisory Committee was established in 1998 which included representatives from the Sahtu, Inuvialuit, Gwich'in, Dogrib Treaty 11, Akaitcho Treaty 8, Deh Cho, industry, federal and territorial agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. This advisory committee was instrumental in the completion of a NWT Protected Area Strategy in February 1999, a document which was approved by the territorial cabinet.
- A Process and Schedule Agreement outlining the time frame, approach and subject matters for discussion in the Deline self-government negotiations was signed by all three parties on October 14, 1998.
- The GNWT Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development initiated the Sahtu Herbarium Project to name and classify approximately 200 plants in the Sahtu region.
- Sahtu Contractors Ltd. received a three-year contract from the GNWT to supply winter bulk fuel to Tulita, Deline and Fort Good Hope.
- Work was completed in 1998-1999 on various amendments to the NWT wildlife regulations (pursuant to the Wildlife Act) which were necessitated by the realignment of the boundaries of the wildlife management units/zones/areas to conform with the SSA.
- Parks Canada worked with the community of Deline to produce a cultural integrity statement for Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills, Fort Franklin and Deline Fishery.
- Sahtu Dene Council received a total of $95,000 in funds from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development northern contaminant program to address contamination concerns in the SSA.
- As of March 31, 1999, Natural Resources Canada had surveyed all municipal lands for the Sahtu communities. In addition, 55 percent or 143, of the remaining 262 parcels of Sahtu lands had been surveyed.
3 Implementation Committee
The Implementation Committee is comprised of three senior officials representing each of the parties involved in the Agreement. In 1998-1999, the committee member for the SSI was Danny Yakeleya and for the GNWT, Mark Warren, Director of Policy and Implementation, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. The federal government's position was split during the year, with Terry Henderson, Director General, Claims Implementation Branch, DIAND participating for six months before the position was assumed by Leigh Jessen, Director, Implementation Management Directorate, DIAND.
As provided for in Section 29.2 of the Agreement, the responsibilities of the Implementing Committee are:
- overseeing, directing and monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and the Implementation Plan;
- adjusting the schedule for carrying out implementation activities, reallocating implementation resources and amending the Implementation Plan as required;
- addressing disputes between the parties; and
- preparing a public annual report on the implementation of the Agreement.
The committee met three times during the 1998-1999 fiscal year, in Yellowknife, Ottawa and Tulita. Its activities included:
- approval of the terms of reference for the five-year review process;
- oversight of the production of the 1997-1998 Annual Report;
- approval of the reallocation of implementation funding; and
- consideration of a number of implementation issues raised by the parties.
4 Implementing Bodies
The Agreement includes provisions to establish implementing bodies responsible for determining eligibility for enrolment as a beneficiary of the Agreement; managing wildlife resources, planning and regulating land and water use; settling disputes related to the interpretation of the Agreement; and conducting both environmental impact assessments and reviews of development proposals. The membership, functions and time frame for the establishment of each of these bodies are specified in the Agreement.
Chapter 25 of the Agreement calls for the development of legislation that will create several implementing bodies. In the absence of the legislation, the Implementation Committee established working groups to prepare for the eventual creation of the boards.
Progress in establishing implementing bodies and working groups is outlined below.
- The Arbitration Panel, the Enrolment Board, the Sahtu Land and Water Board, the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board, the MVEIRB, the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board and Renewable Resources Councils (RRCs) are operational. Current memberships of these implementing bodies, excluding RRCs, are listed in Appendix 1.
- The Joint Working Group on Sahtu Heritage Places and Sites was established.
- Chapter 27 of the Agreement mandates the establishment of a Surface Rights Board after separate federal legislation is passed. This quasi-judicial body will resolve disputes between landowners and holders of surface or subsurface commercial interests over entry to the lands and compensation for their use. The board will consist of members residing in the NWT and, when dealing with Sahtu lands, shall act through a panel of its members at least one of whom will be a resident of the SSA. Since the Surface Rights Board has yet to be created by legislation, relevant surface rights disputes in the SSA may be referred to the Arbitration Panel.
4.1 Enrolment Board
The Enrolment Board has nine members, including seven representatives from the SSI and two from the federal government. The board met through teleconference three times, and convened its annual meeting on October 29, 1998.
As part of their routine activities, board members approved or rejected applications submitted under Section 4.2 of the Agreement. As of June 1999, 2,598 beneficiaries were covered by the Agreement. The Enrolment Registry is distributed to all land claim corporations in the Sahtu region. The board also reviewed monthly expenditures and activity reports.
As required by Section 4.4.2(j) of the Agreement, the board provides a certificate and a photo identification card to each beneficiary as proof of enrolment.
4.2 Arbitration Panel
In 1998-1999, the Arbitration Panel completed its Commencement of Proceedings Rules. This document is available in English in written form, and in North Slavey in written and oral form.
After discussion, the panel decided not to prescribe a set of arbitration rules. Rather, this would be left to the parties and the arbitrator in any particular arbitration. Once there has been a sufficient number of arbitrations to consider this approach, the panel will re-examine the possibility of establishing permanent arbitration rules.
The panel had its 1998 annual meeting in Fort Good Hope. Based on a rotation which sees these meetings held in the settlement area every second year, the panel is presently planning its next meeting in Deline in the year 2000.
The panel is structured to be available to consider disputes on relatively short notice at the request of the parties to the Land Claim Agreement. To the end of 1998-1999, no requests for arbitration have been made.
4.3 Sahtu Renewable Resources Board
The SRRB was established as the main instrument of wildlife management in the SSA. In its four years of operation, it has expanded into this role, and exercised its authority to propose wildlife management policies and regulations for the region. It has an independent research and monitoring capacity that is used in support of RRCs, the government and others. The SRRB office has a staff of seven, including a biologist, wildlife technician, harvest studies coordinator, harvest surveys trainee, office manager and executive director.
The federally appointed seven- member board is comprised of three representatives nominated by the SSI, three members nominated by the federal and territorial governments and a chairperson nominated by the members. During the year, the SRRB held one meeting in Fort Good Hope and two in Tulita. In addition, three teleconference meetings were held. At these meetings, the board was apprized of the mandate of the Sahtu Land and Water Board and the role of the DFO in the SSA.
The harvest studies coordinator designed a user-friendly database for future use by the RRCs. Field workers were hired and trained to gather harvest information, and harvest data collection began in the communities in the spring.
The board dealt with the issues of outfitting permits and special harvesting areas in the Keith Arm of Great Bear Lake. It encouraged amendments to the territorial Wildlife Act to allow enforcement of provisions of the Agreement. The Scholarship and Training Fund was established in May 1998. An informative series of articles about board activities was published under the title "The Bear Facts" in the Mackenzie Valley Viewer newspaper.
The SRRB, in particular the biologist and wildlife technician, worked closely with the RWED and RRCs in a variety of wildlife surveys and research activities, and one fish survey. These initiatives included:
- data collection for the first full year on the Dall's sheep population in the Mackenzie Mountains;
- the collection of sheep disease and parasite information with the support by the Norman Wells RRC;
- the fourth year of duck banding at Willow Lake with the participation of the Tulita RRC;
- a SRRB funded study of the dispersal of juvenile marten with the participation of the Norman Wells RRC;
- the third year of a program to identify barrenland caribou herds through DNA analysis and to study the movements of radio-collared caribou. This program included the distribution of posters describing these studies to Sahtu communities;
- a SRRB funded moose inventory in Tulita;
- the establishment of the Forest and Wildlife Habitat Inventory Program led by RWED;
- the purchase of desk-top Geographic Information System and ArcView software for the Tulita office of the SRRB;
- the classification of the vegetation in the SSA using LANDSAT imagery; and
- the development of an inconnu index monitoring program with partial funding from the SRRB.
4.4 Joint Working Group on Sahtu Heritage Places and Sites
Section 26.4.3 of the Agreement provides for the establishment of the Joint Working Group on Sahtu Heritage Places and Sites to consider and make recommendations to the appropriate Minister or government agency and to the SSI with respect to the following Sahtu heritage places and sites: the Ramparts; Scented Grass Hills; Grizzly Bear Mountain; the site of Sir John Franklin's 1825 wintering quarters; Loon River/Fort Anderson Trail; and such other heritage places and sites as may be agreed on by the working group.
In 1998-1999, the working group completed the obligations set out in the Agreement. The Implementation Committee agreed to extend the deadline of the working group to August 31, 1999, in order for it to complete its report. The report will be distributed to all stakeholders, including governments and Aboriginal organizations, for their consideration.
It will include recommendations relating to 40 heritage places and sites in the SSA. Other general recommendations concern the creation of a Sahtu cultural institution that could carry on the work of this group and help to sustain Sahtu culture and heritage.
4.5 Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board
When the MVRMA came into force on December 22, 1998, it established the MVEIRB as the main agency to undertake environmental assessment and review in the Mackenzie Valley. The board's jurisdiction applies to all lands in the Western Arctic, excluding the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and Wood Buffalo National Park. The MVRMA replaces the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in the Mackenzie Valley except under specific circumstances.
Prior to the Act coming into force, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Working Group was established with the mandate to prepare the MVEIRB for operation. The information below includes both the activities of the working group from the beginning of the fiscal year to its dissolution in January 1999, and those of the board since its official formation on December 22, 1998.
The board's offices are located in Yellowknife and house a staff of five, including an executive director, two environmental assessment officers, a finance and administrative officer and a communications officer.
Transition Activities
Projects caught in the transition between the CEAA and the MVRMA occupied much of the board's attention during the first few months of its operation. Section 159 of the MVRMA requires that the regulator consult with the MVEIRB before issuing a decision on the development. The board reviewed and commented on 22 transition projects, the largest of which is the Diavik Diamond Mines Comprehensive Study. The board is currently preparing its views on the Diavik study. Five transition projects remained outstanding at the end of 1998-1999.
Preliminary Screenings
In the period from December 22, 1998 to April 1, 1999, the Board received 25 notifications of preliminary screenings.
Interim Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines
The working group was the lead liaison on the development of Environmental Impact Assessment in the Mackenzie Valley, the interim guidelines for use by officers, developers and regulatory authorities. For the section on preliminary screeners, the participating regulatory authorities were the National Energy Board (NEB), NRCan, DIAND, EC, DFO, the Sahtu and Gwich'in Land and Water Boards, the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Working Group, and the GNWT's departments of RWED and Transportation. The board released these guidelines in February 1999, in cooperation with the other regulatory authorities responsible for permitting and issuing licences. The board will work with the existing guidelines for a year to determine what changes should be made. It will then begin public consultations in year two to solicit the views of interested parties on suggested changes and improvements to these guidelines.
Five-year Budget
The board prepared and submitted its five-year budget to the Sahtu Implementation Committee. It highlighted possible financial shortfalls of the board's operations arising from the number and scale of anticipated assessments; as a result, the board will seek additional funding for its activities.
Board Activities
The board members participated in several orientation sessions designed to give them a better understanding of the environmental impact assessment process and board governance. Members of the board (or working group prior to December 22, 1998) attended the Circumpolar Conference on Sustainable Development, Whitehorse, May 1998. The chair-person and executive director attended the Cumulative Resource Impact Program planning meeting held in Edmonton, December 1998 and in Inuvik, January 1999.
Public Information
Board members had the opportunity to host public information sessions, attend meetings to disseminate information, and build liaisons with other organizations. During the year, the working group/board responded to invitations to provide information sessions at 10 foras, community workshops and conferences, and it distributed a newspaper insert on the board and process in January 1999.
The Next 12 Months
Board activities in the next year will include environmental assessments of projects referred by the preliminary screeners. Pending assessments include a lumber harvest project, an application to build a gas pipeline, and an application by a diamond mine to develop additional kimberlite pipes. The board will submit its views on the Diavik Comprehensive Study report in the summer of 1999.
The board will continue to visit communities to explain its role and to respond to questions from developers. The public consultation on the interim environmental impact assessment guidelines will begin at the end of the 1999-2000 fiscal year.
4.6 Sahtu Land and Water Board
Prior to the proclamation of the MVRMA in December 1998 and the formal establishment of boards created from this Act, the Sahtu Land and Water Board operated as a working group, under the provisions of the NWT's Societies Act. The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development appointed the members nominated by the SSI, GNWT and the federal government to the board in January 1999.
The accomplishments of the working group/board during 1998-1999 include:
- completion of a training exercise based on three land use permits and two water licences in May and June 1998;
- participation in the MVRMA transition meetings with DIAND and the NWT Water Board in Yellowknife, and completion by members and staff of an intensive training session with the DIAND MVRMA transition team in Fort Good Hope;
- completion of computer training by staff in July;
- employment of a part-time summer student in cooperation with Yamoga Land Corporation during August;
- attendance at a community assembly in Fort Good Hope;
- completion of courses "Decision Writing" and "How to Hold a Hearing" in September;
- participation of staff in a meeting of the Preliminary Screening Steering Committee in Yellowknife; and
- attendance by the chairperson and executive director at two briefings on the MVRMA in Yellowknife sponsored by DIAND and the MVEIRB.
In March 1999 the board sponsored a two-day technical training session in Fort Good Hope for board members and staff of the Sahtu land corporations. Methods and procedures for evaluating applications for land use permits and water licences were explained using actual current applications.
Upon proclamation of the MVRMA, the board received active or current files on 14 water licences and 17 land use permits to administer after their transfer from DIAND and the NWT Water Board. In the period of January to March 31, 1999, the board received three additional applications for water licences and six additional applications for land use permits. On February 17, 1999, the board issued its first water licence.
The working group held meetings more frequently over the past year due to the training required on the MVRMA and decision making needed on specific applications after the Act's proclamation. Meetings were held in Fort Good Hope and Norman Wells. Board members and staff remain confident that the board is prepared to and capable of administering the land use permit and water licence processes in the SSA.
4.7 Sahtu Land Use Planning Board
With the proclamation of the MVRMA in December 1998, the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board was created. It has continued the work of the previous Land Use Planning Working Group established under the provisions of the NWT's Societies Act.
The 1998-99 fiscal year activities of the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board centred around four main themes: institutional development, vision creation, capacity building and awareness creation.
Institutional Development
As the working group entered its first full year of operations, activities focussed on the development of appropriate institutional arrangements that would allow for its efficient operation. Two working group meetings were held in 1998 (in April and August), followed by two board meetings in 1999 (in January and March) in a number of the Sahtu communities. An office was established in Fort Good Hope, and staff were recruited to fill the positions of senior planner, natural resources specialist, social scientist and office manager.
Vision
A number of vision creation activities were undertaken to facilitate the board's progress in accomplishing its stated objectives. In November 1998, the working group held a "Planning to Plan" workshop in Tulita. During this workshop members explored their mandate, discussed the concepts of community involvement, stakeholder groups and interests, and developed an initial work plan. During the first months of 1999, the board prepared a number of discussion papers, and strategies/plans on participation, communication and information collection.
Capacity Building
Capacity development activities of the board included the recruitment of specialist staff and participation in a number of training initiatives such as the February workshop on the MVRMA and a "Developing your Board" workshop held in early March.
Awareness
The board created awareness of its role and mandate within the SSA and the larger NWT in a number of ways:
- by attending conferences concerning the Yellowstone to Yukon conservation initiative and Northern Forests-Northern Challenges;
- by attending a workshop on cumulative impacts in the Mackenzie Valley;
- through meetings with representatives of the Gwich'in Land Use Planning Board and the Yukon Planning Council;
- by participating in the development of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy;
- through visits by board representatives to two schools within the Sahtu Region to introduce land use planning to the students and teachers; the three remaining schools were scheduled for June 1999; and organizations within and outside of the region are aware of the board and its activities.
- through the development of a bilingual (English and Slavey) brochure and a Website to ensure that people and
Through these activities in the four themes, the board believes that it has built a strong foundation for achieving its goal of conserving, utilising and developing Sahtu lands in a way that protects and promotes the present and future well-being of Sahtu beneficiaries, local residents and all Canadians.
5 The Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
The SSI was formed by the seven Sahtu land corporations (made of four Dene land corporations and three Metis land corporations) on June 23, 1994, with the enactment of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Land Claims Settlement Act.
The SSI is mandated to:
- assist all members to negotiate and enter into arrangements with the federal and territorial governments concerning the implementation of the Agreement; and
- deal with issues and concerns of the Sahtu Dene and Metis.
The SSI participates in the implementation of the Agreement through the nomination of board members to the implementing bodies, involvement in the North Accord discussions and management of the capital payment through the Sahtu Trust. The SSI has a coordinating role in activities involving other designated Sahtu organizations and ensures that the government, industry and public are aware of the functions of the various implementing bodies, such as in land access.
The SSI is the only Sahtu joint Dene and Metis regional Aboriginal organization. It is the point of contact for all government agencies and departments on issues including education, health, environment, highways, wildlife, political development and economic development. Recently, as part of an assessment of its financial and human resources, the SSI Board of Directors re-evaluated the SSI's purpose, goals and objectives and clarified its working relationship with the Sahtu Dene Council.
5.1 Board of Directors
The SSI Board of Directors is comprised of the following members:
Ruby L. McDonald, Chairperson
Edwin Erutse, Vice-chairperson
Wilbert Kochon
Winter Lennie
Winston McNeely
Eddy McPherson Jr.
Raymond Taniton
Gordon Yakeleya
5.2 Head Office
The SSI's head office is located in the Chief George Kodikin building in the community of Deline. The building also houses the Sahtu Dene Council and the Sahtu Enrolment Board.
5.3 Community Renewable Resources Councils
Pursuant to Section 13.9 of the Agreement, five RRCs were created to advise the SRRB and to encourage and promote local community involvement in conservation, research and wildlife management, and harvesting studies.
Under the Agreement, designated community organizations (land corporations) appoint RRCs for each community. In 1998-1999, the following RRCs were active in the SSA:
- Colville Lake Renewable Resources Council;
- Deline Renewable Resources Council;
- Fort Good Hope Renewable Resources Council;
- Tulita Renewable Resources Council; and
- Norman Wells Renewable Resources Council.
During the fiscal year, the RRCs worked with the SRRB on the Settlement Area Harvest Study.
5.4 Land Ownership
The SSI does not own land. All settlement lands outside of municipalities are owned by the district land corporations in the three districts of Deline, Tulita and K'asho Got'ine.
- The Deline Land Corporation owns all the land in the Deline district.
- In the Tulita district, the settlement lands are owned by the Tulita District Corporation, which is comprised of the Tulita Land Corporation, the Fort Norman Metis Land Corporation and the Ernie McDonald Land Corporation.
- In the Fort Good Hope district, the settlement lands are owned by the K'asho Got'ine District Land Corporation which is comprised of the Yamoga Land Corporation, Fort Good Hope Metis No. 54 Land Corporation and the Ayoni Keh Land Corporation.
5.5 Sahtu Trust
The Sahtu Trust was created by the seven financial corporations eligible for settlement moneys and royalties under the terms of the Agreement. On September 6 of each year, the federal government makes a payment under Chapter 8 of the Agreement to the SSI that is deposited into the Sahtu Trust. Under directions from the SSI, the trust is evenly managed by two fund managers. Twice each year, the income and interest earned by the trust is paid, less fees, on a per capita basis to the seven financial corporations. At the end of the fiscal year, the balance in the trust was $42 million, and the net income generated by the trust was $5,177,000.
5.6 Economic Measures
Under Chapter 12 of the Agreement, the federal government is committed to meeting with the SSI once every three years to review the effectiveness of programs relating to the economic measures provisions. In 1999, a meeting was held in Edmonton, Alberta. A recommendation from this meeting resulted in the creation of an Economic Measures Working Group with the mandate of clarifying Chapter 12 and developing an evaluation framework to measure the progress in implementing it. This group met one additional time in the 1998-1999 reporting period.
5.7 Special Harvesting Areas
Under Chapter 13 and Volume II of the Agreement, special harvesting areas exist for fish, moose and game birds (duck and geese). DFO maintains that the 28 special harvesting areas for fish are open to all persons with a fishing licence; the SSI disagrees. Also, the SSI disagrees with RWED's interpretation of the chapter that the special harvesting areas for moose are open to all hunters with a general hunting licence. The SSI Board of Directors determined that the interpretation of the special harvesting provisions should be clarified through arbitration.
5.8 Amendment to the Wildlife Act Regulations
Throughout the reporting period, the SSI in consultation with RWED about the proposed amendments to the Wildlife Act regulations. RWED met with some of the RRCs, and the SSI has encouraged a wider consultation involving all of the Sahtu communities.
5.9 Yamoria Training Committee
The SSI is represented on the Yamoria Training Committee along with members from the three district land corporations. The committee reviews applications for funding to ensure that they meet the terms of the agreement with Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). This agreement expired on March 31, 1999 and has been replaced by the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy, signed in April 1999.
5.10 Aboriginal Summit
The Western NWT Aboriginal Summit was founded in January 1995. It is a forum for discussion among leaders of the following Aboriginal governments and organizations: Dene Nation, Metis Nation - NWT, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Dogrib Treaty 11, North Slave Alliance, Akaitcho Territory Government, South Slave Tribal Council and the SSI.
The summit leaders participated in the Constitutional Working Group which was mandated to develop models for a constitution and form of government for the new western territory formed after the creation of Nunavut. In April 1998 the CWG released its workbook Common Group. This publication outlined two different paths for governance of the western territory, the "combined" and the "government-to-government" approaches. The CWG consulted with communities throughout the summer of 1998 about this workbook. The con-sultations were expected to lead to a conference and vote in early 1999. However, funding issues, an alternative proposal by DIAND for an intergovernmental forum, and the desire of some Aboriginal leaders to concentrate on their land and self-government processes led the CWG to suspend operations in early 1999.
The summit leaders participated in other initiatives such as the Inherent Right Working Group, the Western Leaders' Coalition and the Electoral Boundaries Commission. The summit is no longer collectively engaged in any project or process. Members were advised to wind down the organization financially and suspended it as of August 1, 1999.
5.11 Deline Self-government Negotiations
The Agreement provides for the negotiation of self-government agreements to be effected through federal legislation. Provisions relevant to self-government are contained in Chapter 5 and Appendix B of the Agreement.
The Deline Land Corporation is in the process of negotiating a self-government agreement pursuant to Appendix B of the Agreement that involves the following activities:
- negotiation of a process schedule agreement;
- negotiation of an annual internal work plan, schedule and funding arrangements;
- negotiation of the listed subject matters agreed to in the process schedule agreement;
- initialling the Agreement in Principle; and
- ratification of the Final Agreement.
During 1998-1999, the Deline Land Corporation negotiation process included the following subject areas under the process schedule agreement:
- governing structures sub-agreement;
- elections sub-agreement;
- citizens sub-agreement;
- education (K-12) sub-agreement;
- transition sub-agreement; and
- general provisions sub-agreement.
In addition, preliminary discussions began on the local government sub agreement.
5.12 Mackenzie Valley Resources Management Act
The SSI participated in a presentation via video-conferencing to the Senate of Canada committee on Bill C-6, the legislation that created the MVRMA.
The SSI was a member of the Sahtu Land and Water Board Working Group, the Sahtu Land Use Planning Working Group and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board Working Group prior to these groups' dissolution upon proclamation of the MVRMA.
6 Government of the Northwest Territories
During 1998-1999, GNWT activities directed to the Implementation Plan and related funding agreements involved the ministries and departments of Aboriginal Affairs, RWED, Education, Culture and Employment, Justice, Public Works and Transportation.
6.1 Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
As in past years, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs acted as the coordinator for GNWT implementation activities. These responsibilities including liaisons with the SSI and federal and GNWT representatives; preparing status reports for the Implementation Committee; and preparing the GNWT component of this annual report.
The Ministry was represented on three groups relating to the Agreement and the Implementation Plan: as the GNWT representative on the Implementation Committee; as a member of the Sahtu Land and Water Working Group, providing advice and assistance to that group before it was dissolved in February 1999; and as the GNWT representative on a working group established to undertake the Sahtu Five-Year General Review.
Economic Measures Activities
Ministry officials coordinated the three-year economic measures meeting for GNWT departments. The GNWT met with the SSI, the Gwich'in Tribal Council and officials from federal government departments to discuss the economic measures provisions of the Sahtu and Gwich'in Agreements. One of the recommendations from the meeting was to create an Economic Measures Working Group to clarify the economic measures chapters of the land claim agreements and to develop an evaluation framework to measure the progress in implementing these chapters.
Deline Self-government Negotiations
In accordance with Chapter 5 and Appendix B of the Agreement, the Ministry has participated in the self-government negotiations that are ongoing with the community of Deline. A Process and Schedule Agreement outlining the time frame, approach and subject matter for negotiations was signed by all three parties on October 14, 1998.
6.2 Resources, Wildlife And Economic Development
RWED continued to work in partnership with the SSI, SRRB, RRCs and beneficiaries of the land claim agreement in its research and management activities. Progress was made in the establishment of national historic sites and the development of a park management plan for the proposed Canol Trail and Dodo Canyon Territorial Park. RWED also provided beneficiaries with employment and training associated with resource management.
Research and Management Projects
Several cooperative wildlife research and management projects were conducted with funding and assistance from the SRRB in 1998-1999.
Dall's Sheep
In conjunction with the SRRB, a long-term project was initiated to assess sheep populations
at four study areas in the Mackenzie Mountains. Project field crews were comprised of two
beneficiaries selected by the RRCs from Tulita, Norman Wells and Fort Good Hope. These
crews received training and carried out data-collection activities. Experts from the United
States and Saskatchewan provided assistance to the project.
Moose
A jointly funded RWED/SRRB aerial survey was conducted to estimate moose populations.
Geographic Information System Project
RWED and the SRRB continued a multi-year project initiated in 1997-1998 to meet the GIS needs of various boards, councils, corporations and other agencies involved in resource
management activities in the SSA. Costs for the project are shared between the SRRB and RWED (Sahtu Region, Forest Management).
Waterfowl
The fourth year of a successful duck-banding project was completed. This project is part of
the North American Waterfowl Banding Program, and is a joint effort of the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, the Pacific Flyway Council, and RWED.
Bluenose Caribou Herd Management Plan
A second draft management plan for the bluenose caribou herd was circulated to all involved
parties for further input. This plan is expected to be finalized early next year.
Other Activities
RWED's Forest Management Division initiated the Sahtu Herbarium Project to name and classify approximately 200 plants in the Sahtu region. A beneficiary consultant was contracted to the project to classify these plants according to traditional medicinal uses, preparatory process, harvesting and storage. A full report on the project is expected early next year.
Management planning for the proposed Canol Trail and Dodo Canyon Territorial Park is continuing under a co-management agreement between RWED, the Tulita District Land Corporation and the SSI. A draft management plan is being reviewed by the land corporation and the SSI.
6.3 Education, Culture and Employment
A representative from the department's Culture and Heritage Division is the GNWT's nominee for the Sahtu Heritage Places and Sites Joint Working Group. Pursuant to Section 26.4.3 of the Agreement, this working group has the responsibility to review Sahtu heritage places and sites and make recommendations to the appropriate minister. The working group completed a community-based research project to gather information on heritage sites. In 1998-1999, the working group drafted recommendations to government on heritage sites and initiated a detailed report on its work which is expected to be completed in mid-1999. The department provided ongoing advice on possible impacts that land use operations might have on heritage sites.
6.4 Justice
The legal division of the Department of Justice continued to provide legal advice and assistance in a variety of areas related to the ongoing implementation of the Agreement, including:
- the negotiation of land exchange and access agreements in relation to a bridge construction project at Canyon Creek;
- work on proposed amendments to the Agreement to clarify the effect of land exchanges;
- review of information pamphlets; and
- review of wildlife issues.
Section 19.3.5 of the Agreement calls for the GNWT Land Titles Office to issue certificates of title to all the surveyed municipal parcels and several specific sites. Plans of survey have been registered for all municipal parcels and certificates of title have been issued for all but three municipal parcels. Thirteen plans of survey have been registered for specific sites and, pursuant to requests, four certificates of title have been issued. In addition, 43 plans of survey have been registered for the portions of the boundaries of the settlement parcels.
A bill to amend the Wildlife Act to recognize the Agreement was prepared by the legislative division. It was passed in December 1998. Work was completed on various amendments to the wildlife regulations necessitated by the realignment of the boundaries of the wildlife management units/zones/areas to conform with the SSA.
6.5 Public Works and Services
In support of the economic measures provisions of the Agreement, and consistent with the GNWT preferential contracting policies and procedures intended to maximize local, regional and northern employment and business opportunities, Public Works and Services negotiated a contract with Sahtu Contractors Ltd. for winter bulk fuel resupply for Tulita, Deline and Fort Good Hope for a three-year period (1999 - 2001). The 1999 winter resupply was successfully completed.
6.6 Transportation
In order to expedite the construction of a bridge for the winter road, the Department of Transportation has agreed to a land exchange in the Canyon Creek area with the Tulita District Land Corporation as provided for under Section 19.1.5 of the Agreement. When land is exchanged with government, the Agreement is silent on the status of lands received by government and the lands received by a designated Sahtu organization from government. An amendment to the Agreement has been drafted in order to ensure all lands held by a designated Sahtu organization after such an exchange become settlement lands. Meetings between representatives from the SSI, the federal government and the GNWT have taken place on this issue, and a formal amendment is expected to be put forward to the parties in 1999.
7 Government of Canada
7.1 Legislation
With the proclamation on December 22, 1998 of the MVRMA, the Sahtu Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement's and Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement's obligations to legislate an integrated resource management system in the Mackenzie Valley was finally fulfilled. Two regional boards in each settlement area were structured: the land use planning board and the land and water board. In addition, two valley-wide boards were structured: the MVEIRB and the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. This latter board will be established upon proclamation of Part IV of the MVRMA.
7.2 Economic Activity and Employment
Human Resources Development Canada
Chapter 12 of the Agreement states the obligations of the federal government in achieving the objectives of economic development programs in the SSA; specifically, Section 12.1.2(c) and (d) deal with training and employment opportunities for beneficiaries.
In 1998-1999, HRDC continued to provide funds to the Sahtu for the development and delivery of labour market programs to residents in the area. Under the Regional Bilateral Agreement (RBA), the Sahtu identified the labour market training needs of members in the settlement area, and developed and delivered training programs to meet these needs. In 1997-1998 and 1998-1999, the Sahtu received a total of $1,294,272 towards the funding of these programs.
The RBA between HRDC and the Sahtu expired on March 31, 1999. The RBA process is currently being evaluated, with results expected during the summer of 1999. On April 1, 1999, this agreement will be replaced by a comprehensive new agreement under the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Strategy. This strategy incorporates the labour market programs under the previous RBA with programs for youth, child care, and persons with disabilities, as well as a capacity-building component.
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The Sahtu Dene Council received a contribution of $547,096 under the Tribal Council Funding Program to provide support services to its member First Nations in the areas of economic development, financial management and band governance. The council continued to be a full participant in the department's Community Economic Development Organization funding program. This program provides $168,634 to individual First Nations which, in turn, fund activities to address their economic and employment objectives. As well, the council is consulted on all economic development initiatives applicable to the Sahtu.
Sahtu Oil Inc. was provided with $20,000 from the Resource Access Negotiations Program to negotiate a joint drilling venture with Akita Drilling of Calgary. It was also provided with a contribution agreement in the amount of $1,275 to offset the legal costs of incorporating a new company (established by the Sahtu Dene and Metis Oil and Gas Committee) to pursue oil and gas opportunities.
The Behdzi Ahda (Colville Lake) First Nation was provided with a contribution agreement in the amount of $4,500 to meet with and establish relationships with exploration companies.
At the annual meeting of the Norman Wells Proven Area Joint Committee to review operations pursuant to the Proven Area Agreement, Imperial Oil reviewed the year's operations with the Proven Area and looked at employment and training of the Sahtu beneficiaries at Norman Wells.
Industry Canada
In the past, Aboriginal Business Canada of Industry Canada has not been satisfied with its program delivery in the SSA. In 1998-1999 it took steps to correct this problem. ABC initiated an aggressive marketing campaign in the NWT to explain its program and strategic priorities. Although the campaign is not targeted specifically at the SSA, it is felt that it will generate interest in this settlement area.
ABC has promoted its programming through the Western Arctic Business Development Services and Sahtu Business Development Centre. These organizations are part of the Community Futures Network; they work exclusively in the Gwich'in and Sahtu regions of the NWT. In 1998-1999, this promotional activity achieved modest results which are expected to grow in the coming year.
National Energy Board
NEB has a specific responsibility under Chapter 24 of the Agreement for the expropriation of settlement lands required for pipeline facilities and electrical transmission rights-of-way that are judged to be in the public interest. The board was not involved in any activities relating to Chapter 24 in 1998- 1999.
Board staff was involved in several activities to facilitate the implementation of the MVRMA. Staff participated in a working group with the Sahtu and Gwich'in land and water boards and the MVEIRB to develop preliminary screening guidelines. Staff consulted with the MVEIRB on its interim environmental impact guidelines and on coordination assessment processes.
As the Sahtu Land and Water Board is now a regulator under the MVRMA, NEB provided information on seismic and drilling applications that were before the Sahtu Land and Water Board.
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada continued to advertise procurement opportunities in the SSA on the MERX system (a national electronic tendering service) and to meet the requirements of the Agreement by notifying the Sahtu Dene and Metis of these opportunities in the SSA. A copy of the procurement notice is faxed to the SSI for goods, services or construction destined for locations within the SSA.
7.3 Environmental and Wildlife Management
Canadian Wildlife Service
In 1998-1999, the Canadian Wildlife Service was involved in a number of activities related to the management of wildlife.
Settlement Area Harvest Study
CWS has a seat on the Harvest Study Working Group, and has contributed to the design and ongoing implementation of the harvest study.
Harvest of Migratory Game Birds
Through its seat on the SRRB, the CWS advises the board of all changes to migratory bird regulations that might have impact on the Sahtu Dene and Metis. CWS also provides the SRRB with annual migratory bird harvest statistics as compiled by the CWS and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It is expected that the harvest study will provide information from which the SRRB can determine the level of a total allowable harvest for migratory birds.
Management of Migratory Wildlife Species
CWS sits on the Arctic Goose Working Group of the Arctic Goose Joint Venture (AGJV). This group deals with the over-population of snow geese in the Arctic, especially in the Central Arctic. Sahtu Dene and Metis harvest snow geese from the Western Arctic population where the problem does not appear to be as severe. The SRRB, however, was kept informed about this issue. The AGJV is a cooperative Canada/United States of America body that coordinates goose management and research in both countries.
CWS has kept the SRRB apprised of the progress of negotiations between Canada and the United States to amend the Migratory Birds Convention Agreement to allow for the spring hunting of waterfowl by northern Aboriginals including the Sahtu Dene and Metis. The protocol to amend the MBCA has slowly worked its way through the respective Canadian and American legislative bodies. Once the amendments to the MBCA are fully ratified by both countries, CWS will begin the process of regulation changes. The SRRB has also been informed about its future role in regulation changes for the NWT.
The SRRB was advised periodically about the federal non-toxic shot regulations that came into partial effect in the fall of 1997, and that will come into full effect in September 1999. Additional public relations activities were undertaken in the form of brochures distributed to northern communities and through the media.
CWS, through its seats on the various Flyway Committees, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and other international initiatives, is involved closely in the management of migratory bird species that cross international boundaries. The SRRB is routinely apprised of issues arising from these international initiatives that may affect the Sahtu Dene and Metis.
Species-at-Risk Legislation
As a signatory to the International Biodiversity Convention and other international conservation initiatives, Canada is obliged to take steps that ensure the continued viability of all wildlife species within its borders. Consequently Canada, through CWS, developed new species-at-risk legislation that died on the parliamentary order table with the dissolution of the last Parliament. At present, CWS is developing amended species-at-risk legislation. The SRRB was involved both times by means of regular apprisal and direct participation in workshops and meetings. The most recent was a Speciesat- Risk Workshop sponsored by CWS held in Yellowknife in December 1998.
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review
With the proclamation of the MVRMA, CWS has provided environmental assessment advice to the Sahtu Land and Water Board on activities in the SSA. CWS has also provided advice and input to the MVEIRB on a number of procedural and environmental matters.
Fisheries and Oceans
In 1998-1999, DFO sponsored a stream survey in the SSA on 10 winter road streams, with detailed work on five.
7.4 Heritage
Canadian Heritage
Chapter 17 of the Agreement specifies the production of public information material with respect to protected areas and heritage resources, facilities and projects that give appropriate recognition to the culture and history of the Sahtu Dene and Metis. The Parks Canada Agency of Canadian Heritage held consultations with Elders at Deline to draft texts for national historic sites at Deline Fishery/Franklin's Fort, Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills. Consultations are complete with the Elders concerning the texts for multilingual interpretive display panels to be put up in the community. As well, plans are underway for a celebration on August 14, 1999 to unveil information plaques and panels in Deline.
The Sahtu Heritage Places and Sites Working Group and the NWT Protected Area Strategy have not yet provided advice on land protection issues, including the establishment of protected areas. This working group has conducted community research, assembled a list of heritage places and sites and developed a draft report with recommendations. The working group was considering final revisions to the report at the end of 1998-1999. It is planning to submit the report with recommendations to the appropriate ministers and the SSI in mid-1999.
Parks Canada supports the active involvement of the Sahtu in the conservation and management of Sahtu heritage resources and is working with the community of Deline to produce a cultural integrity statement for Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills, Franklin's Fort and Deline Fishery. This activity will be supported by a local workshop in the fall of 1999. (In 1995-1996, artifacts collected in the course of archaeological research on Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills were professionally conserved and now reside in the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.)
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The existing Northwest Territories Lands Act includes mandatory consideration of heritage resources prior to issuance of land permits. The revision of the existing NWT Archeological Sites Regulations is now being considered. On December 22, 1998, this obligation became the responsibility of the Sahtu Land and Water Board.
7.5 Land and Water Management
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The regional offices of DIAND worked with the various working groups in preparation for the passage of the MVRMA, and provided technical expertise to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Working Group. With the MVRMA, the resource management responsibilities of DIAND for land use planning, land use and water regulation in the SSA were taken over by new institutions of public government: the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board and the Sahtu Land and Water Board. DIAND's role changed to provide preliminary screening functions and a "single window" for the department on environmental assessments to be carried out by the newly created MVEIRB. This board was established through the MVRMA to protect the environment from the significant adverse impacts of developments and the protection of the social, cultural and economic well-being of residents and communities in the Mackenzie Valley.
DIAND retained responsibilities for administering federal Crown land under the Territorial Lands Act, Territorial Lands Regulations, Territorial Quarry Regulations and the Canada Mining Regulations. DIAND continues to provide the inspection and enforcement of the terms and conditions attached to authorizations issued by both DIAND and the newly established institutions of public government.
To ensure a smooth transition between the existing and new regimes, communication activities focussed on informing the general public and the private sector of the activities of these bodies through written materials and a contact person for inquiries. The information folders developed the previous fiscal year were updated, and included fact sheets on each of the boards and the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Working Group, a description of changes to the land and water regulatory process, an explanation of the inter-relationship of the boards, pamphlets on the MVRMA, a contact sheet and a flow chart of the new Mackenzie Valley resource management system.
Sand and Gravel Resources
New reporting procedures for sand and gravel quarry royalties were developed and implemented.
Hazardous Wastes
DIAND's northern contaminants program provided the following funds to address contamination concerns within the SSA:
- $36,000 to the Sahtu Dene Council (third year of funding) for a Sahtu Regional Contaminants Coordinator; and
- $59,000 to the Sahtu Dene Council to monitor contaminants in woodland caribou and moose.
Land use Planning
DIAND regional staff attended meetings of the Sahtu Land Use Planning Working Group during its tenure from March to December, 1998, and provided assistance and technical advice when requested.
Land and Water Use
DIAND's Land Administration Division worked with the Sahtu Land and Water Working Group to ensure that it had all the material and information to be operational when the MVRMA was passed and the Sahtu Land and Water Board was established. Between the settlement legislation and the establishment of this board, all land use permits were issued with the agreement of the Sahtu land corporations. The initial review of applications for land use permits on Crown lands was extended to the maximum 42-day mandatory issuance period to allow for review by the land corporations.
Natural Resources Canada
Land Surveys
NRCan is responsible for surveying the Sahtu lands (as per project 19.5 of the Implementation Plan) and for the preparation of plans and delivery of such to the Register of Land Titles. The following surveys were completed between 1994 and the end of 1998-1999:
- Schedule I: Sahtu lands, excluding minerals
72 of 173 parcels (41.6 percent complete); - Schedule II: Sahtu lands, excluding minerals
0 of nine parcels (zero percent complete); - Schedule III: Sahtu lands, including minerals
30 of 39 parcels (76.9 percent complete); - Schedule IV: Specific sites
41 of 41 parcels (100 percent complete); and - Schedule XVI: Unsurveyed Sahtu municipal lands (5 communities)
(100 percent complete).
Aboriginal Training Project
The Yellowknife Office of Legal Surveys Division, NRCan sponsored a one-week training course entitled "Canada Lands Surveys Systems and Processes" for land claims land administrators from the Western Arctic. The training course was held in partnership with Aurora College at its Yellowknife Campus, February 15 to 19, 1999. Sixteen people people attended. They represented the K'ahsho Got'ine, Yamoga, Deline, Tulita, Ayoni Keh and Ernie McDonald Land Corporations within the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement; Gwich'in Land and Water Board; the Hamlets of Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk and Fort McPherson and the Inuvialuit Land Administration from the Inuvialuit Land Claim.
Course topics included acts and regulations pertaining to surveys on Canada Lands, administration and registration of land, contracting process, regulatory process, community planning, surveys and mapping, interpretation of survey plans and geographic information systems.
Instruction was provided by representatives from the Legal Surveys Division, NRCan; DIAND; Municipal and Community Affairs, GNWT; and the Land Titles Office of the Department of Justice, GNWT. Site visits were made to each of these departments.
7.6 Revenue Canada
Revenue Canada's responsibilities to the Agreement include provision of general information on the taxation implications for the settlement corporations, and the preparation of an information document on this topic. The preparation of this document, which looks at related tax aspects of the Sahtu Agreement and Gwich'in Agreement, has been delayed; however, it is currently being reviewed and revised with a final draft expected shortly. When available, the final draft will be forwarded to the SSI for its review.
7.7 Other Implementation Activities
Cumulative Impact Monitoring
The Agreement contains a provision for the development of a method of monitoring the cumulative impacts of land and water uses on the environment in the Mackenzie Valley. A workshop was held in Inuvik from November 17 to19, 1998, that brought together representatives from the Sahtu, Gwich'in and Inuvialuit institutions of public government, community representatives and government agencies to establish partnerships and facilitate the development of the Cumulative Impact Monitoring (CIM) program. A working group of Sahtu, Gwich'in, Inuvialuit, federal and territorial government representatives was created to guide the next steps of the program. With the advice of the working group and communities, DIAND contracted the Aurora Research Institute to compile an inventory of databases and records of current and historic environmental, social, economic and community monitoring related data and research for the Mackenzie Valley, with emphasis on the Sahtu and Gwich'in regions. Initial meetings have been held in most Sahtu and Gwich'in communities to discuss the role of communities and the use of traditional knowledge in the CIM program.
Protected Area Strategy
Following a Protected Area Strategy workshop held April 20-22, 1998, a Protected Area Strategy Advisory Committee was established that included representatives from the Sahtu, Inuvialuit, Gwich'in, Dogrib Treaty 11, Akaitcho Treaty 8, Deh Cho, industry, federal and territorial agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. A shared vision and partnership approach was the basis for the advisory committee's work. As a result of the efforts of this committee, a NWT Protected Area Strategy was completed in February 1999, and approved by the Territorial Cabinet. As this strategy moves forward, DIAND will continue to work with the Sahtu Land Use Planning Board when new protected areas are being considered in the SSA.
Treaty Payments
The NWT region of DIAND met with each of the Sahtu Bands and made the annual treaty payments: Fort Good Hope on June 1, Colville Lake and Deline on June 2, and Tulita on June 3, 1998.
7.8 Federal Coordination of Implementation Activities
The Claims Implementation Branch of DIAND coordinates and monitors the fulfilment of federal government obligations contained in the Agreement. The branch has a representative on the tripartite Implementation Committee and consults with the GNWT and the SSI on issues arising from the implementation of federal responsibilities under the Agreement. Other responsibilities include:
- maintaining a comprehensive implementation status report of federal responsibilities in the Land Claim Obligation System;
- maintaining close contact with all federal departments and agencies with respect to their implementation activities;
- preparing funding agreements and ensuring payments are made in a timely fashion to all implementing bodies; and
- coordinating the production of the Annual Report of the Agreement.
CIB oversees the process for appointing members to institutions created under the Agreement, either through an order-in-council or the Ministerial appointment process. All appointments to the newly created MVEIRB, Sahtu Land Use Planning Board and Sahtu Land and Water Board were completed in 1998-1999, except for the chair appointments to the latter two Boards. As well, Celina Stroeder, member, and Keith Hickling, alternate, were jointly appointed to the SRRB by the GNWT Executive Council and by order-in-council, effective March 9, 1999.
On November 4, 1998, CIB coordinated an Economic Measures Workshop including representation from the Sahtu, Gwich'in, and federal and territorial governments. This workshop established a working group to address Chapter 12 of the Agreement and Chapter 10 of the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.
Continued efforts were made by CIB to facilitate the development of a new funding arrangement between Canada and those bodies funded under the Agreement.
A member of CIB participated in the Five-Year General Review Working Group and oversaw the contract for the input used in preparing the draft final report.
In 1998-1999, funding was provided to the following organizations:
Organization | Amount |
---|---|
Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated | |
|
$173,458 $183,264 $8,300,094 $211,263 |
Government of the Northwest Territories | $358,253 |
Renewable Resources Board | |
|
$782,794 $189,630 |
Enrolment Board | $83,570 |
Arbitration Board | $43,302 |
Land Use Planning Board | $351,726 |
Land and Water Board | $523,450 |
Appendix A1
Membership of Implementing Bodies
(as of March 31, 1999)
Enrolment Board* | |
---|---|
Lorraine Doctor | Chairperson |
Wilfred McNeely, Jr. | Vice-Chairperson |
Rosemary Cairns | Yellowknife |
Wilbert Kochon | Colville Lake |
Lori Ann Lennie | Tulita |
Monica Loomis | Norman Wells |
Isidore Manuel | Fort Good Hope |
Raymond Taniton | Deline |
Larry Tourang | Norman Wells |
Arbitration Panel | |
---|---|
Robert A. Kasting | Chairperson |
James H. Davis | Vice-Chairperson |
Nigel Bankes | |
Larry Chartrand | |
David C. Elliot | |
Deborah Hanly | |
Anton M.S. Melnyk | |
Francis Price |
Sahtu Renewable Resources Board | |
---|---|
Winter Lennie | Chairperson |
Russell Hall | |
George Barnaby | |
Danny Gaudet | |
Paul Latour | |
Ruby L. McDonald | |
Celina Stroeder |
Alternates |
---|
Keith Hickling |
Lucy Jackson |
Leonard Kenny |
Archie Lennie, Sr. |
Diane F. Malley |
Kevin J. McCormick |
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board | |
---|---|
Gordon Lennie | Interim Chairperson |
Leonard Colissimo | |
Bertha Rabesca | |
Dennis Bevington | |
Barney Masuzumi | |
Technical Advisors* | |
Joe Benoit | |
Brenda Kurzyk | |
Ruby L. McDonald |
Sahtu Land and Water Board | |
---|---|
Larry Wallace | Interim Chairperson |
George Barnaby | |
Walter Bayha | |
Violet Doolittle | |
Derrick Muyres | |
Technical Advisors* | |
Kevin Campbell | |
Rudy Cockney | |
Ruby L. McDonald |
Joint Working Group on Sahtu Heritage Places and Sites | |
---|---|
John T'Seleie | Chairperson |
Tom Andrews | |
Ellen Lee | |
Bella T'Seleie | |
Isadore Yukon |
Sahtu Land Use Planning Board | |
---|---|
Roderick Hardy | Interim Chairperson |
Barry Harley | Interim Vice-Chairperson |
Clarence Campbell | |
Wilbert Kochon | |
Marie Adams | Federal Advisor |
Celina Stroeder | GNWT Advisor |
Ruby McDonald | SSI Advisor |
* The role of the Technical Advisors ended December 21, 1998, as a result of the passage of the MVRMA, when the working groups officially became boards.
Appendix A2 Map of Sahtu Settlement Area
![Map of Sahtu Settlement Area](/DAM/DAM-CIRNAC-RCAANC/DAM-TAG/STAGING/images-images/map_1100100031098_eng.gif)
Appendix A3 Schedule of Capital Transfer Payments 1994 to 1998
Date | Schedule of Payments | Loan Repayment | Total Paid to the SSI |
---|---|---|---|
June 23,1994 | $9,000,000 | $0 | $9,000,000 |
September 6, 1994 | $3,853,940 | ($533,903) | $3,320,037 |
September 6, 1995 | $5,780,911 | ($800,854) | $4,980,057 |
September 6, 1996 | $7,707,881 | ($1,067,805) | $6,640,076 |
September 6, 1997 | $9,634,851 | ($1,334,757) | $8,300,094 |
September 6, 1998 | $9,634,851 | ($1,334,757) | $8,300,094 |
Total | $45,612,434 | ($5,072,076) | $40,540,358 |
Appendix A4 Implementation Payments 1994-1995 to 1998-1999
Fiscal Year | Implementation Payments |
---|---|
1994-1995 | $ 688,458 |
1995-1996 | $1,205,791 |
1996-1997 | $1,622,443 |
1997-1998 | $1,970,533 |
1998-1999 | $2,869,978 |
Total | $8,357,203 |
Note: these amounts include payments to the SSI, GNWT and the implementing bodies.
Appendix A5 Resource Royalties 1993 to 1998
Fiscal Year | Resource Royalties Paid Out |
---|---|
1993 | $123,221 |
1994 | $198,041 |
1995 | $204,357 |
1996 | $278,782 |
1997 | $244,261 |
1998 | $211,263 |
Total | $1,259,925 |
Appendix A6 Property Taxes Paid to GNWT 1994 to 1998
Fiscal Year | Property Taxes Paid to GNWT |
---|---|
Total | $37,511 |
1994 & 1995 (two years paid in one) |
$8,666 |
1996 | $9,739 |
1997 | $9,544 |
1998 | $9,562 |