December 19, 2013
It was an important day in Deline as leaders and community members gathered to see the negotiators from Deline, the GNWT and Canada initial the Délı̨nę Final Self-Government Agreement (FSGA). This brings this community closer to having control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, including how programs and services will be delivered.
“This agreement has been 18 years in the making. With the guidance of our Elders, our negotiation team stayed the course to get this done right for our people,” said Délı̨nę First Nation Chief Leonard Kenny. “With this agreement we will finally be able to make decisions here at the community level. I think that will make a real difference in peoples’ lives.”
“Having just one government for Délı̨nę will allow us to do more for our beneficiaries and all residents,” said Gina Dolphus, President of the Délı̨nę Land Corporation. “I encourage all eligible voters to take the time to learn about this agreement and ask their questions so they can make an informed decision.”
Chair of the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Ethel Blondin-Andrew and Sahtu Grand Chief Frank Andrew were in attendance to share in the celebration and provide words of encouragement and support.
Read the press release
See speeches made at the initialling ceremony:
- Danny Gaudet, Chief Negotiator for Deline - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNTdYlLXL3U
- Ian Hamilton, Chief Negotiator for the Government of Canada -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_VnkimqdUg
- Katy Dillon, Chief Negotiator for the GNWT - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ONXEX1_3u8
- Chief Frank Andrew, Grand Chief of the Sahtu Dene Council -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L9IKYgLcgU
- Gina Dolphus, Deline Land Corporation President - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khdk2fPnFWo
- Chief Leonard Kenny, Ekwatide for the Deline First Nation -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR4Bzgi3bEI
- Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Chair of Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YytaM0Huvi0
- Elder Alfred Taniton - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew0sJFTFlzI
For sample media coverage of the initialling:
