Yellowknife, N.W.T.

On the first day of the NIEDB’s meeting in Yellowknife, the Board heard a presentation about the Giant Mine Remediation Project. Board members then travelled to Behchokǫ̀, the largest First Nations community in the Northwest Territories near the North Arm of Great Slave Lake. Board members were warmly received by Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty, the Chief’s Executive Council and representatives of the Tłı̨chǫ government. The group learned about the Tłı̨chǫ government’s successes and challenges in the area and toured Behchokǫ’s new cultural centre.

During the following two days, the Board met with industry leaders and government officials, including Chief Sangris of YellowKnives Dene First Nation, Jake Huron, Chief Negotiator NWT Métis Nation, CanNor's President Jimi Onalik, along with officials from the Territorial government, the mining community and leaders from the telecommunications field including the President of Northwestel. It was an informative three days learning about the issues impacting First Nation and Métis communities of the North.