Introduction of Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act - Legislation creates the first Aboriginal Self-Government in the Northwest Territories

OTTAWA, June 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Harper Government today announced the introduction and passage by the House of Commons of Bill C-63. This bill would enact the Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement announced on December 17, 2013 by the Délı̨nę First Nation, the Government of Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada once the bill has been passed by the Senate and has received royal assent.

Once in force, the Agreement will create a new government, the Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government, and bring together the authorities, programs and services of the Charter Community Government, the Délı̨nę Land Corporation, the Délįnę Financial Corporation, and the Délı̨nę First Nation Band.

This will allow the self-government arrangements of the Agreement to meet the unique needs of Délı̨ne, give the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Délı̨nę more control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives and cover responsibilities in the areas of culture, language, education, social services, program delivery, governing structures, Délı̨nę First Nation citizenship, elections, and local government services.

Quick facts

• Délįnę First Nations Citizens ratified the Agreement in a ratification vote with 64.5% of all eligible voters approving the Délı̨ne Final Self-Government Agreement, well above the 50% + 1 threshold required to ratify the Agreement.
• The Agreement contains a wide range of powers that will give the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Délı̨nę more control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, including how programs and services will be delivered.

The Agreement covers responsibilities in the areas of culture, language, education, social services, governing structures, Délı̨nę First Nation citizenship, elections, and local government services.

Quotes

"Settlement of self-government negotiations is a northern priority and our Government is committed to providing Canadian families with prosperous and strong communities, such as the Délı̨nę First Nation. All Canadians, including Aboriginal peoples, can count on our Government to stay focused on what matters; jobs, growth and economic prosperity."
Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

"The Délı̨nę First Nation appreciates the Government of Canada's efforts to reach this final milestone on our journey towards self-government, and appreciates the support received today in the House of Commons for the legislation recognizing our self-government agreement. Our community looks forward to the stability and prosperity that self-government will bring."

Chief Leonard Kenny
Délı̨nę First Nation

"Parliament's support for this legislation giving effect to our self-government agreement is a welcome development in the final step toward reaching our goals of self-sufficiency and greater control over our affairs. We look forward to this legislation being introduced in the Senate and to our continued partnership with Canada in making self-government a reality for Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę."

Gina Dolphus
President of the Délı̨nę Land Corporation

"Working to ensure that NWT residents have a greater voice in decisions that affect them and the future of their territory has been a major priority for the Legislative Assembly and Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). With the passage of territorial legislation earlier this year and the introduction of federal legislation today, the Dene and Métis will have important tools for implementing their inherent right of self-government. The GNWT looks forward to working with Canada and the Délı̨nę Got'ı̨nę Government to ensure the transition to self-government runs smoothly."

Bob McLeod
Premier and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations for the Government of the Northwest Territories

Associated links

• News Release : One Step Closer to Self-Government for the Délı̨nę Community in Northwest Territories
• Backgrounder: Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement
• Délı̨nę Land Corporation

SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstron, Press Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160; Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox, Implementation Director, Déli?ne? First Nation and Déli?ne? Land Corporation, 867-444-0030; Roya Grinsted, Media Relations, Government of the Northwest Territories, 867-669-2308; You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or e-mail. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions.