The Deline Got’ine Government

The Deline Got’ine Government operates according to the Final Self-Government Agreement, the Sahtu Dene Métis Land Claim Agreement, and its own Aeado (Constitution) and laws. The Aeado says that Deline will be governed as one people by the DGG. It also states that the government must operate under the following principles:

  • The government will:
    • Respect the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement.
    • Observe openness and transparency.
    • Respect our traditions and culture.
    • Collaborate with other Indigenous people, our neighbours, non-Indigenous residents and other governments.
  • As a government, the DGG must:
    • Act with respect, fairness and without discrimination,
    • Consult with all Deline citizens on important decisions,
    • Encourage free expression and participation of all Deline citizens,
    • Act to protect lands, waters and resources and all living things.

Deline Got’ine laws

The Final Self-Government Agreement (FSGA) grants the DGG powers and responsibilities for a number of areas, such as:

  • Community affairs and local services including the regulation of liquor and gaming
  • Indigenous matters including language and culture
  • Education and early childhood education
  • Adoption
  • Health services
  • Social housing and income support
  • Tourism and economic development in the Deline District
  • Local land use planning

The FSGA is constitutionally protected as a Treaty and gives the DGG the authority to pass certain laws. All DGG laws must fit with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The DGG laws must follow the FSGA. The DGG will not take on powers or make laws in all of these areas right away. The Deline Got’ine Government will decide when and how it takes on new powers. For example, education and health services will continue to be managed by the GNWT in the immediate future, while the DGG prepares to take on authorities in those areas. The DGG currently manages programs and services that were previously delivered by the First Nation, Land Corporation and Charter Community. It has also taken on a few powers that it needs to be able to operate as a government. As the Deline Got’ine Government builds its capacity and its success over time, it will take on more powers and responsibilities in areas such as education and social programs. Across the NWT and across Canada, this is how self-governments continually develop over time.

Deline First Nation Citizens

All members of the Deline First Nation (DFN) Band and all land claim beneficiaries are now Deline First Nation Citizens, no matter where they live. A person who is a citizen under another self-government agreement is not eligible to be a DFN Citizen.

Duties of Citizens

All DFN Citizens have a duty to:

  • Work together, to seek consensus and harmony.
  • Help each other and respect one another.
  • Help the community.
  • Respect our Elders and leaders, and support the youth.
  • Live in harmony and protect the land, the environment, the waters, the animals and plant life.

Accountability

As a combined Indigenous/public government, the DGG represents, serves and is accountable to two primary groups of people:

  • Deline First Nation Citizens
  • Residents of the Deline District

The DGG must give annual reports to the Deline Lenats’ehde Dzene (Community Gathering) about its work and the administration of the land claim.

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