Reflections of the Grand Chief
Chief Executive Officer Report
Chief Financial Officer Report
Lands and Resources Report
Health and Wellness Report
Education and Training Report
Language and Early Learning Report
Cultural Heritage Report
Gwich’in Wellness Camp
Intergovernment
Housing and Infrastructure Report
Communications Report
Gwich'in Government Report
Drin Gwiinzii Good day, I greet you all
This past year has been one of transition, determination, and steady progress
Although I was sworn in as Grand Chief in January in Tsiigehtchic, I was not able to fully assume the duties of this office until March, as this was the first time I was able to enter our office in Inuvik, following the resolution of a legal challenge to the election results, and the hard work of our transition team to move things forward I am sure most Gwich’in Participants would have liked me to begin my work earlier, but I am grateful and
honoured to be able to serve my people, and looking to put this behind us With that said, this delay understandably impacted the pace of transition and planning during what should have been the mid-point of a new term. Despite this, we have remained focused on rebuilding relationships, engaging Participants, and restoring momentum across the GTC. Since formally stepping into the role, I have dedicated my efforts to ensuring our government continues to represent Gwich’in interests locally, territorially, and nationally
Internally, I have chaired and participated in numerous GTC Board of Directors meetings, as well as shareholder and governance meetings across our subsidiary corporations GSC and GDC I’ve made it a point to visit each of the four communities in the GSA, attending important events such as the Gwich’in Day celebrations in Teetł’it Zheh, graduation ceremonies for our youth, and meetings with DGOs and Band leadership This work is about reestablishing direct relationships, sharing meals, listening to concerns, and being present and reachable for all Gwich’in Participants
Externally, I represented GTC at the Council of Leaders and the Yukon Forum, brought forward Gwich’in concerns to both the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada, and raised issues like the Mackenzie Valley Highway, housing, contaminated site cleanup, and education funding I’ve also advocated strongly for our inclusion in key decision-making processes such as the Joint Education Action Plan in Yukon and have
insisted on greater accountability around federal legislation like Bill C-5, which affects our rights under the GCLCA I have continued to advocate for Gwich’in rights and priorities with the Government of Canada as well, hosting Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Alty on her first visit to Inuvik as Minister, where I addressed focus points and the needs of our people as we move forward on a Government-to-Government basis
A significant part of my work has been ensuring that requests from Gwich’in Participants are followed up on Whether it’s a housing question in Inuvik, education support in Whitehorse, or seeking clarity on available services available to Participants in Edmonton, I’ve directed these concerns to our operational teams for timely response I’ve also supported grieving families, participated in cultural documentation and helped advocate for inclusive and safer spaces for all Gwich’in
I have prioritized advancing our Land Claim and Self-Government negotiations, working closely with legal counsel, the implementation team, and our leadership partners We have raised our concerns regarding stalled negotiations, funding limitations, and the need to modernize implementation of Chapter 10 on Economic Measures and other Chapters of the GCLCA These are complex challenges, but we are committed to moving forward with clarity and unity
This year saw the successful recruitment of a new Chief Operating Officer, new CFO, and confirmation of Mark Ellwood as our CEO, after he helped successfully navigate the leadership transition We have now completed our leadership team which will now work to continue to enhance
our organizational capacity and create more efficient structures and systems for our staff to work under We also participated in a two-day Lateral Violence workshop in July, part of a broader effort to improve our internal culture and create a healthier, more respectful workplace
The Gwich'in Tribal Council is preparing to roll out funding for its new Guardians Program starting in September This marks a major investment in land stewardship, cultural revitalization, and local employment Once the funds are released, up to 14 new positions will become available across the Gwich'in Settlement Area. Each Designated Gwich'in Organization (DGO) will have the opportunity to operate the program directly in their own community, if they choose to do so These positions will focus on on-the-land
monitoring, cultural education, environmental protection, and supporting intergenerational knowledge transfer The program is designed to be community-led, flexible, and rooted in Gwich'in values providing meaningful employment while also ensuring our lands, waters, and traditional knowledge are protected for future generations
I want to acknowledge that progress has not always been easy. There remain forces some internal, some external that do not always align with the direction we are working toward While I will not dwell on these challenges here, I will say this: every step forward has required resolve and unity We are steadily overcoming barriers and
returning our focus to what matters serving the Gwich’in people with transparency, accountability, and purpose
As we prepare for the year ahead, I remain committed to engaging with you directly, to hearing your voices, and to building a GTC that reflects the strength and aspirations of our people
Mahsi’ cho for your continued support
MARK ELLWOOD
Vanh/Drin Gwiinzii,
I am honoured to present my first annual report as Chief Executive Officer of the Gwich’in Tribal Council. The past year has been one of turbulence, reflection, and foundational realignment Initially appointed as Transition Lead and later as
CEO, the mandate was to assess and strengthen the internal systems of the GTC This work is ongoing and continues to shape the organization’s direction Although the delayed leadership transition affected planning and budgeting cycles, it also revealed the remarkable commitment and resilience of GTC staff Their efforts have sustained operations and enabled meaningful progress
The issues faced were not failures of individuals, but failures of systems that had developed over time due to longstanding gaps in governance and business processes. Addressing these challenges required integrity, diligence, and difficult decisions With strong support from both staff and leadership, the organization has made significant progress Organizational reviews, renewed policy development, and strategic capacity-building initiatives are now underway to position the GTC as a modern and responsive land claim institution
One of the most significant milestones this year was the full resolution of all outstanding financial reports from 2020 to 2024, which have now been formally acknowledged by federal authorities This accomplishment restored the GTC’s eligibility for future funding and reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and sound financial management Work also progressed on revitalizing the organization’s governance structures Board committees on Finance and Audit, Human Resources, and By-Laws and Policy are being reconstituted with clear mandates and updated terms of reference
Departmental responsibilities have been clarified through new charters and updated job descriptions, with more than 60 percent of roles redefined to improve accountability and performance The appointment of a Chief Financial Officer brought enhanced leadership in financial oversight and long-term planning. This was followed by the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer, further strengthening the executive team and accelerating the ongoing organizational review Under this leadership, all departments are now completing policy, procedural, and reporting reviews to ensure compliance, consistency, and long-term sustainability
With foundational reforms in place, departments began to shift from stabilization to service delivery, expanding programs and launching new initiatives
The Lands and Resources Department advanced environmental stewardship and regulatory engagement through forums and ministerial discussions. The feasibility study for the Teetl’it Gwinjik Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area neared completion Progress also continued on the Shell J-21 remediation project and in environmental assessments for the Mackenzie Valley Highway and Norman Wells operations The launch of the Our
Land for the Future Trust, which secured $375 million, supported Guardian programs and land protection SmartICE training and the strategic development of the Guardian program enhanced community-based environmental monitoring The department also processed land use authorizations, conducted quarry inspections, and contributed to conservation planning across the Gwich’in Settlement Area Continued participation in Yukon legislative processes helped ensure that Gwich’in rights remained central in territorial policy-making
The Gwich’in Wellness Camp transitioned toward safe and sustainable long-term operations Key health and safety upgrades were completed, including fire safety, water systems, and operational protocols Planning also began to improve the business model, update environmental management plans, and enhance infrastructure, laying the foundation for long-term healing and wellness programming
The Housing and Infrastructure Department completed and occupied 19 of 20 new homes, marking the most successful year of housing delivery in over a decade Repair programs were introduced for both GSA and non-GSA communities, and work began on an Asset Management Framework to support long-term capital planning
The Human Resources Department advanced modernization and strengthened organizational capacity New strategic hires brought in fresh expertise Improved onboarding processes and a full review of policies and contracts were completed A compensation and retention study was launched to ensure competitiveness and staff support These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to building a strong and sustainable workforce
Cultural revitalization and intergenerational knowledge sharing remained a key focus Programs included Elder-led storytelling, youth mentorship workshops, sewing and craft programming, landbased research, and curriculum development The
GTC also supported national language initiatives and advanced new cultural programming to preserve and celebrate Gwich’in traditions
The Communications Department maintained a strong public presence by supporting major events such as National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Book of Hope launch, and the Arctic Development Expo. A refreshed website and targeted social media campaigns helped strengthen engagement and reinforce transparency
Efforts in early learning and language revitalization expanded through strategic planning and community programming Initiatives included immersive youth experiences, curriculum collaboration, and the successful relaunch of inperson language immersion in Inuvik A Gwich’in Language Symposium was held, and community surveys captured broad input from across and beyond the GSA The release of a five-year strategic plan marks an important step in supporting the next generation of Gwich’in speakers and learners.
With overdue financial reports submitted and internal systems strengthened, the Gwich’in Tribal Council is entering the next phase of its revitalization This phase emphasizes performance monitoring, digital modernization, and deeper community engagement
Priorities for the coming year include finalizing the business plan for the Gwich’in Wellness Camp and launching new community programming Digital platforms such as Sage Intacct, Community Knowledge Keeper, and BoardEffect will be implemented A full review of the organizational structure is also planned Governance reactivation will continue, and new departmental metrics will support informed and evidence-based decisionmaking
Treaty Implementation will be a major area of focus The GTC will continue engaging with Canada toward a Gwich’in Final Agreement that reflects Gwich’in law, culture, and inherent rights Strategic funding priorities include investments in mental health and healing, reform of the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, and expansion of education and training opportunities. The GTC is also pursuing economic agreements and infrastructure investments to support Gwich’in participation in northern development
Further advocacy will focus on strengthening federal recognition of Gwich’in governance, enhancing emergency management capacity, and securing long-term funding for language and cultural revitalization Conservation efforts will continue through Guardian programs and Indigenous-led research to promote environmental stewardship and Arctic sovereignty
The past year was one of challenge and transition, but also of substantial progress. Despite the difficulties, the dedication and resilience of GTC staff ensured the organization continued to move forward Through committed leadership, a more accountable foundation has been laid
Most importantly, it is the will of Gwich’in Participants that continues to guide the work and define its direction While there is still much work to be done, the GTC is moving forward with clarity, confidence, and a clear aspirational vision for the future one rooted in Gwich’in cultural identity and values, that is committed to strengthening communities and securing long-term prosperity and self-sufficiency
Mahsi Cho.
MARK ROTH
There has been a noticeable increase in legal actions undertaken internally and supported by the Gwich’in Tribal Council during this reporting period The number and complexity of cases requiring legal representation and funding have increased compared to previous years, resulting in higherthan-expected expenditures in this area
Despite these hurdles, our Finance team has made exceptional progress in modernizing our enterprise resource planning systems The final implementation of Sage Intacct ERP, initiated in 2022, has continued with consistent effort and success We are confident that once fully operational, this system will offer robust financial oversight at the program manager level, real-time reporting, and improved departmental integration across all GTC-related entities
A number of financial concerns arose this year regarding our physical infrastructure and leased office space The Edmonton, Spruce Grove, and Yellowknife offices required substantial leasehold improvements costing GTC approximately $1 million yet these spaces remain underutilized by our staff and partners A strategic evaluation is planned to reassess the ongoing viability and value of these locations to our operations
Meanwhile, the Inuvik office remains a leased facility, despite funds having been set aside several years ago for the construction of a dedicated GTCowned building This misalignment of planning and execution also requires a strategic review, and I will be working closely with the CEO and Executive to chart a sustainable path forward
The Gwich’in Development Corporation (GDC) faced serious governance and compliance issues this
fiscal year The 2024 amalgamation effort that effectively reassigned assets, liabilities, and losses was not successful, leading to the creation of a new corporate entity that was not functional legally from the start of 2025 to fiscal year end at March 31, 2025 This failure ultimately led to the replacement of the entire GDC Board and senior management team A forensic audit is currently being planned and will be essential in restoring confidence, accountability, and transparency in GDC’s governance, management, and financial practices.
From a structural perspective, GTC continues to hold, through GDC, a number of inactive corporations that, while dormant, remain subject to tax considerations This state of affairs creates unnecessary exposure and inefficiencies There is a clear path to reorganize our corporate structure using non-taxable entities in accordance with our status as an Indigenous government This reorganization will form part of my strategic recommendations in the months ahead
This past year has not been without hardship, but it has revealed the depth of dedication and professionalism within our Finance team. We have maintained our fiduciary responsibilities through unprecedented transitions and are on the path toward stronger governance, clearer structure, and better fiscal outcomes
I would like to extend my appreciation to the Board, the Grand Chief, and all Gwich’in Tribal Council staff who continue to show commitment in the face of these challenges With the right structural reforms, transparent leadership, and continued modernization, we are poised for a more stable and strategically prosperous future
ROSS WILSON
My
My name is Ross Wilson, and I’m honored to introduce myself as the new Director of the Gwich’in Lands and name is Ross Wilson, and I’m honored to introduce myself as the new Director of the Gwich’in Lands and Resources (GLR) program I arrived in Inuvik on June 21st and have been acclimatizing to Inuvik and the GLR Resources (GLR) I arrived in Inuvik on June 21st and have been acclimatizing to Inuvik and the GLR workplace Adjusting to the 24-hour daylight has been a un workplace Adjusting to the 24-hour daylight has been a unique experience, but I’m slowly getting used to it! ique experience, but I’m slowly getting used to it!
I bring with me nearly 30 years of experience in environmental and stewardship programs, beginning in my I bring with me nearly 30 years of experience in environmental and stewardship programs, beginning in my home community of Bella Bella, within the Heiltsuk Nation. In the short time I’ve been with GLR, I’ve been home community of Bella Bella, within the Heiltsuk Nation In the short time I’ve been with GLR, I’ve been warmly welcomed and supported by the team, which has made the transition smooth warmly welcomed and supported by the team, which has made the transition
It’s clear that the Gwich’in Tribal Council, through the GLR program, is engaged in a wide range of meaningful It’s clear that the Gwich’in Tribal Council, through the GLR program, is engaged in a wide range of meaningful projects and initiatives With the help of the dedicated GLR staff, I look forward to understanding of the projects and initiatives With the help of the dedicated GLR staff, I forward to understanding of the department’s work and the important role it plays in supporting the Nation’s Lands and Resources interests department’s work and the important role it plays in supporting the Nation’s Lands and Resources interests
I’m excited to meet everyone and learn more about the activities we’re involved in My door is always open
I’m excited to meet everyone and learn more about the activities we’re involved in. My door is always open please feel free to drop by for a coffee and a chat about your interests in Lands and Resources please feel free to drop by for a coffee and a chat about your interests in Lands and Resources
Eleonora Mazzoneschi
Lands and Resources Coordinator
During Fiscal Year 2024/2025, the GLR participated in various consultations concerning applications for activities proposed in the Gwich’in Settlement Region (GSR) This includes the management of 18 active authorizations and 7 closed or pending closures The GLR also participated in reviews of applications for 2 Participant gravel authorizations. A full list of authorizations is available in Appendix A
In addition to the evaluation of land and resources applications, the GLR reviews a diverse range of proposals that pertain to the GSR and Gwich’in rights and interests The GLR has addressed 9 requests, actively engaging in the assessment and provision of feedback to support informed decision-making processes These proposals cover a wide range of activities, including proposed research initiatives, wildlife studies, lease and quarry application and critical mineral exploration withing NWT and Yukon In providing feedback, the GLR collaborates with the GTC’s Department of Culture and Heritage to ensure that we can effectively contribute their insights to these proposals
Nolan Rainville Projects Coordinator
The Gwich’in Tribal Council Lands and Resources (GLR) department has been very busy in the last year We have achieved several major milestones at the Territorial and Federal levels
On November 14, 2024, the Our Land for the Future Trust (OLF) final agreement was signed by 22 Indigenous governments & organizations (GTC included), the Territorial Government (ECC), the Federal Government (ECCC), and Pew Charitable Trust This major milestone agreement unlocks 375 million dollars for the 22 Indigenous Governments & Organizations to
establish new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA), maintain and improve existing conservation areas, develop Guardian programs and a variety of on-the-land activities that help protect and preserve the land for future generations It is anticipated that the trust will be ready for grant applications in the Fall of 2025
To learn more about the NWT OLF Trust, please visit the Our Land for the Future Trust website www nwtourlandforthefuture ca
The land and resources team has been working diligently on a Gwich’in guardian program In 2024, the GLR hired Conrad Baetz (Gwich’in Participant) to help in the development phase. Conrad provides decades of experience and knowledge from being a regional Wildlife officer in the Mackenzie Delta Region, and was previously the Assistant Deputy Minister for GNWT Lands Nolan and Conrad began meeting with each of the communities RRC’s, the CoManagement Boards (GRRB, GLUPB, GLWB), as well as attending the Nihtat annual assembly In Spring 2025, each community sent representatives to Inuvik for a visioning and planning workshop It was a successful 3 days of sharing their thoughts and ideas on how a Gwich’in Guardian program can operate Ashley Ens (Gwich’in Participant) was hired to facilitate the 3-day workshop Ashley brought her enthusiasm and professionalism to the workshop and helped guide the conversations and brainstorming process. The final report from the workshop will be completed by the end of June 2025 The steering committee will review the workshop report and ensure that all information captured and collected is accurately represented in the report
The Our Land for the Future Trust and the Gwich’in Guardian program development are working in tandem The GLR and Conrad Baetz have been working diligently to have all the information needed and to be ready when the OLF money is available for applications this fall.
This past winter, we began the first portion of our Ice safety Monitoring program In 2023, the GLR had partnered with SmartICE to secure close to $300k for ice monitoring equipment and training At the start of the 2025 we received our Smart Qamutik and one Smart BUOY GTC is expected to receive three more Smart BOUYs The GLR and SmartICE held a training course in March at the GTC office Staff from Lands and Resources, Gwich’in Renewable Resource Council (GRRB), Gwich’in Land and Water board (GLWB) and a participant from Fort McPherson attended the training
All participants in the training program now know how to operate and analyse the data SmartICE and the GLR have began to plan for the upcoming winter season. The GLR will meet with each community RRC and DGO to discuss community priorities around ice safety, and to train new people on how to use the equipment Our partnership SmartICE will conclude at the end of fiscal year 2027, at that point, we will have trained Gwich’in participants and Staff on how to operate, collect, analyse and distribute the ice monitoring data for the community’s knowledge
The GLR continues to strive to engage and meet the needs of Gwich’in participants and communities but also to understand and work on each community’s needs and priorities
Over the past fiscal year, the Department of Lands and Resources (GLR) continued its work in advancing the GTC’s strategic priorities, including the implementation of land use plans, environmental stewardship, legislative engagement, and Indigenous governance
Central to this work were the following key files:
The implementation of the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan Teetł’it Gwinjik (Peel River) Conservation Proposal
The GTC continues to lead the Planning of Special Management Area 11 and 14 within the Teetł’it Gwinjik (Peel River) Watershed, in collaboration with the First Nation of Nacho Nyach Dun, the Yukon Government, and Parks Canada The Teetł’it Gwinjik (Peel River) Conservation Proposal progressed through the finalization of a Collaboration Accord among the parties, paving the way for subsequent phases of establishing a protected area
The Parties strived to finalize the feasibility report after engaging with rights-holders, stakeholders within the watershed and Canadians outside of the GSA. During the year, the GLR began preparing for the negotiation phase that would follow the conclusion of the feasibility period by engaging with and seeking guidance and leadership from the Teetl’it Zheh Council and Gwich’in participants The GLR remains committed to continuing to engage Gwich’in Participants, the respective Designated Gwich’in Organizations, co-management Boards and relevant stakeholders throughout the planning process
Progress was also made under the LMU 12 planning process, led by GTC, where representatives from Peel First Nations and the Yukon Government collaborated to develop a policy intent document for the Order in Council (OIC) intended to establish this area as a territorial park, jointly managed by the nations, particularly the Gwich’in and Vuntut Gwitchin, and YG However, reconciling the differing interpretations, particularly from the government's perspective, on how to achieve joint management of conservation areas within the watershed, as envisioned in the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plans (PWRLUP), proved challenging The GTC and the Peel Nations remain steadfastly committed to achieving this outcome and will continue to work with YG’s representatives to explore joint management solutions that meet the requirements of the PWRLUP
In the area of environmental assessment, the Chance Oil and Gas (COG) multi-year exploration project was submitted to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) in 2024, but it failed to meet the YESAB consultation adequacy requirements The company was requested to re-engage with the First Nations, which raised unresolved concerns regarding the company’s engagement approach In the meantime, the GTC continues to stand with other northern Nations to ensure that inalienable rights are respected when it comes to adequate engagement The company is currently working to resubmit its proposal to YESAB
While GTC had no objections to the engagement conducted within the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA), there remain outstanding concerns about the proposal The GLR, alongside the Department of Cultural Heritage and the Tetl’it Gwich’in Designated Gwich’in Organization (DGO), will ensure these issues are addressed at the appropriate assessment stage
The Shell J-21 Project aims to clean up a legacy waste site in the ecologically sensitive Caribou River area, aligning with Policy Recommendation #5 of the Peel Watershed Plan However, YESAB recommended against the project proceeding, contradicting Gwich’in Participants’ wishes The GTC has been working with decision-making bodies to identify alternative ways forward
GLR also secured federal Northern Participants Funding to take part in the Environmental Assessment process for the Mackenzie Valley Highway Project, ensuring that Gwich’in rights and interests are reflected in all phases of review Over the last fiscal year, the GLR attended the technical sessions in Yellowknife alongside the Consultant hired to support the team, provided submissions during the second round of Information Requests, and has been preparing for the upcoming public hearing
The First Nations of Nacho Nyak Dun (NND) Lands Selection in the NWT
Concerning treaty and transboundary land matters, the First Nation of Nacho Nyak Dun (NND) has continued land selection negotiations within the GSA under Chapter 25 of its Final Agreement Over the past year, GLR collaborated closely with the Gwich’in Internal Working Group and the Gwichya Gwich’in Council to foster meaningful Gwich’in participation, engagement, and consultation in these negotiations NND has identified land selection areas within the GSA that require further discussions with Gwich’in participants to address potential concerns regarding these areas Engagement meetings will be organized in the coming months, led by the NND Negotiation Team with support from the Gwich’in Working Group
Vuntut Gwich’in Land Exchange
The GLR resumed discussions with the Vuntut Gwitchin Government (VGG) regarding their Proposed SiteSpecific Settlement Land Exchange Joint efforts are underway to develop a land exchange concept paper, conduct the required fieldwork, and hold another round of engagement sessions with Gwich’in communities
GLR played an active role in various legislative initiatives in Yukon, including, but not limited to, developing new Mineral Legislation (NML) and a new Yukon Lands Act, as well as initiating discussions on amendments to the Yukon Wildlife Act
The NML process progressed through a small group negotiation model with oversight of the First Nations Caucus The process is ongoing to develop a high-level framework agreement for subsequent phases
In relation to the new Lands Act, there has been some limited progress with the conclusion of public consultation within the fiscal year 20242025 and the release of a “What We Heard” report by YG. Parties are preparing for subsequent phases of the Lands Act process.
Regarding the Wildlife Act, initial discussions focused on aligning the Act with Yukon Final Agreements, the GCLCA, other Modern treaties, as well as protecting the harvesting rights of our people are ongoing
Amendment to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA)
The GLR remained involved in efforts to amend the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA) The GLR provided feedback to the YESAA Oversight Group and the Federal Government regarding the proposed amendment The GTC formally supported proposed amendments, particularly provisions requiring First Nations’ consent before “project amendments and renewals could be exempted from re-assessment where there have been no significant changes to the previously assessed project scope or context.”
GLR maintained active involvement in collaborative lobbying efforts throughout the year, including regular briefings with Gwich’in leadership In March 2025, the GTC co-signed a joint letter with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dün, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and the Inuvialuit Game Council, addressed to federal ministers This collective action called for strengthened federal efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)
In response to renewed development interest under the Trump administration’s push to “Unleash Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential,” protecting ANWR remains a key advocacy priority The GLR will continue to closely monitor developments, keep Gwich’in leadership well-informed, and support their ongoing engagement in multilateral lobbying initiatives
SALLIE ROSS
The Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) Department of Health and Wellness (H&W) works with the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA) communities of Aklavik, Teetł’t Zheh, Inuvik, and Tsiigehtchic to support the health and wellness outcomes for the Gwich’in people.
The Department of H&W promotes a wholistic, strengths-based approach to health that is rooted in well-being instead of absence of disease Grounded and informed by Gwich’in values, culture and land connection, health is conceived as an inter-relational balance of physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and social indicators
GTC Health and Wellness hosted our very first 30day camp from September 22 – October 19, 2024, at the Gwich’in Wellness Camp We opened registration to all Gwich’in Participants We received interest from all 4 GSA communities, and from Gwich’in Participants in other NWT Communities, Yukon, Alberta, Ontario and BC We also had interest from our Alaskan neighbors We narrowed the selection, and several dozen Participants were invited
Our primary support team consisted of 2 program facilitators, an on-site counselor and a program support worker. They were supported by a variety of support positions: a nurse, a physician, an Adit'sàt Tr'iniinjii Coordinator, the Manager, Wellness Support, a Health and Wellness Consultant and the Director, Health and Wellness
The program was also supported by traditional knowledge keepers, cultural support and self-care providers The participants had access to carving workshop, mural painting, ribbon skirt making, drum and rattle making, independent sewing projects, haircuts and massage therapy services (male and female)
Our Camp was very structured, and each day offered opportunities for prayer/reflection, sharing circles, information sessions, 1:1 counseling, access to cultural activities and free time This structure is key to the delivery of camps like this. It allows participants to develop structure in their days when that might have been missing outside of camp It also ensured that participants are safe and accounted for as attendance is mandatory and participation is encouraged
We learned many valuable lessons in the delivery of this program These lessons will ensure that we improve our delivery in each camp moving forward
As a result of the 30-Day Camp we hosted in September, there was a great desire and need for a camp for our Men to gather We used much of the same approach when designing this camp, however we focused on providing an all-male staff (facilitators, cook, maintenance staff, housekeeper and traditional knowledge holders) to allow for a place for Men to express themselves in a safe, supported environment
Some of the cultural activities provided were: 2 - 2day trapping workshops, carving workshop, constructing a sweat lodge, snowshoeing, putting up a wall tent and butchering a caribou There were participants who had never experienced some of these activities before They expressed that it was healing for them to be part of learning from others who have shared experiences
We look forward to hosting more camps like this in the coming year
Starting late 2023, the Gwich’in Tribal Council committed to supporting participants across Canada with accessing substance use treatment supports The GTC is the funder of last resort and required participants to first access treatment funding through territorial or provincial sources Navigating these systems are complex and for many participants a challenging process The GTC developed the Treatment & Aftercare Coordinator position (2024) to support navigation and processing of treatment and aftercare requests
There were a total of 80 treatment related requests during the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year
Yukon- 39 primarily in Whitehorse, Northwest Territories- 32 primarily in GSA communities, Alberta- 8 primarily in Edmonton, Saskatchewan- 1
Project Management & Clinical Support provided by Continuum North- includes costs associated with developing Treatment & Aftercare job description, service tracking sheets, researching and identifying accredited treatment facilities and possibly partners, drafting briefing notes for GTC leadership and direct and indirect services Note that these services will be transferred to the new GTC Treatment & Aftercare Coordinator once hired by GTC
The GTC received funding to offer services and information around estate management, through a series of two-day events, to Gwich’in participants in each of the six communities hosting offices of the Gwich’in Government. Services and information were provided by GTC staff and lawyers of the Cooper Regel firm
Estates management events were held in Edmonton, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Teetł’it Zheh, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Sherwood Park from May 2024February 2025.
Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, Cooper Regal provided services to 99 Participants Nationwide These services were either in-person at one of their offices in Sherwood Park or Yellowknife, inperson in Inuvik, Teetł’it Zheh, Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic or Whitehorse or virtually from outside of these communities
Due to the increased complexity of programs that the Department of Health and Wellness is offering, we recognise the need for a secure data management system to hold Gwich’in Participant, general public and vendor information Bonterra offers an electronic integrated case management system to ensure safe, confidential documentation of services provided We are in the process of building this system and aim for it to be live in December 2025
Gwich’in Elders are traditional knowledge-keepers The health and wellness of Gwich'in Elders is important to the preservation and revitalization of Gwich'in language and culture Working to ensure the best possible long-term care for Gwich'in Elders, and others in need of these types of supports, is in line with Gwich'in values
In November 2024, GTC partnered with the Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick, to participate and pilot the Elsipogtog Seniors on Eimeg tan tleiaoltieg (We are home where we belong) assessment tool
The purpose of the tool is to gather populationbased data to help identify needs of elders in our communities, through conversations between elders This information will inform programs, provide support to reporting and future funding opportunities
In the 2025/26 program year, we will pilot itinerant interprofessional clinical teams to provide responsive and community-based training and education for families and caregivers located in homes, community and on the land They will visit each community 2-3 times during the year as well as opportunities for virtual visits. We will continue to partner with the Elder Support Workers and DGOs to provide in person and virtual tiered clinical services to manage integration of existing service providers in the NWT and GSA As well as collaborating with the Early Learning Department to co-develop intergenerational policies and programmes.
Adit'sàt Tr'iniinjii Coordinator Programs –Krysten
Cardinal
As the Adit'sàt Tr'iniinjii Coordinator with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, I've had the privilege of designing and delivering various programs that promote community engagement, cultural preservation, and wellness. One of my highlights was the Edmonton Outreach Program, where I offered hands-on activities like birdhouse making, canvas painting, and tie-dye for all ages and families The tie-dye session was particularly successful, with participants of all ages getting creative I also had the opportunity to give back to the Edmonton community by helping the church feed the homeless Additionally, I've worked on several programs in the Gwich'in Settlement Area, including a Family On-the-Land Program at Midway, where we focused on traditional activities like Ch’ilik revival, storytelling, berry picking, hiking and fish preparation Through the success of the Midway program, Ch’ilik revival is now a weekly program in Teetl'it Zheh, all thanks to the GTC Language Coordinator Julie Anne Blake for collaborating with myself to deliver this amazing program
I've also had the chance to collaborate with other departments and community members to deliver
impactful programs For example, I worked with the Department of Culture & Heritage on a week-long berry-picking program, which was a huge success I also attended the Gwich'in Wellness Camp several times, where I helped Snowshoe Carvings deliver a carving workshop and participated in other activities like trail walking and wood gum picking and so much more Furthermore, I've worked with the Community Health Representative (CHR) in Teetl'it Zheh to deliver a women's canvas shoemaking program, which was a wonderful experience seeing the women learn new skills and bond with each other The GNWT CHR, Wellness worker and I are currently delivering a Women's Sobriety Support Group for all women in Teetl'it Zheh, which I am so proud of I've also coordinated a Family Wellness Challenge for the month of November and recently successfully completed the GSA Magoo Community Tour with the Jordan's Principle Coordinator Janelle Pascal with just over 800 people in attendance Through these programs, I've built strong relationships with community members and gained valuable experience and skills I'm grateful to work with a dedicated team and proud of the positive impact we've made in our community while at the Gwich'in Tribal Council.
Jordan’s Principle Coordinator – Janelle Pascal
Jordan’s Principle is named in memory of Jordan River Anderson a young Indigenous boy from Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba who had a rare medical condition which required him to be hospitalized The federal and provincial government had a dispute of who will pay his medical fees Because of this, Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation of the Government of Canada to fund necessary services to Indigenous children GTC encourages Gwich’in families, caregivers and organizations to apply for Indigenous children’s needs through Jordan’s Principle
In 2024/2025 GTC’s Jordan’s Principle Coordinator assisted with 87 applications, 24 approved, 1 denied and 62 still pending There were 8 outreach programs completed in the GSA, 10 community visits (GSA and main city hubs) to inform families of Jordan’s Principle and to support applicants The wait time and pending applications are in issue across Canada The long wait time is due to an influx of applications and so many employees reviewing the applications The department continues to advocate to the Federal Government for additional resources to be added to the Jordan’s Principle program to ensure their ability to be responsive to the demand across the country
JANNA WOLKI
Vanh/Drin Gwiinzii,
It has been a busy year for the Education and Training Department (the department) Over the year the department focused on continued student support, increasing support for mental wellness, implementing the new policies, and continuation of partnerships!
The department is committed to supporting students in the pursuit of education and to reduce barriers to employment To do this, we utilize funding from the Gwich’in Education Fund (GEF), the Indigenous Skills Employment Training Fund (ISETs), and the Post-Secondary Student Scholarship Program (PSSSP) Together, these funds provide financial support to students attending school as well as training opportunities within the Gwich’in Settlement Area The department provides support for students transitioning from high school to post-secondary, and from school to the workforce through assistance with career exploration, resume building, and employability support
Our team consists of four employees:
Janna Wolki, Manager of Education and Training
Janna oversees all department activities, sets budget priorities, reports to federal funders, and provides assistance as needed to ensure that students are supported throughout their education journey
Anita Shattler, Program Support Advisor
Anita is a Gwich’in Participant who grew up in Inuvik She currently works out of the Yellowknife office (now located at 3 /5103-48 Street) and is primarily responsible for supporting postsecondary students with their funding applications and agreements rd th
Marisa Ivany, Workforce Development Coordinator
Marisa moved to Inuvik from Newfoundland in 2023 to work for United for Literacy and joined the GTC team in December 2024.She works out of the Semmler Building in Inuvik and provides career development services, coordinates short course opportunities, and is available to assist with career and education counselling for Gwich’in Participants
Janesta McLeod, Adik’anaantii (Take Care of Yourself) Coordinator
Janesta is a Gwich’in Participant who grew up in Aklavik She works out of the Inuvik Semmler office and assists students in accessing support while away at school She will also play an active role in future GTC sponsored short courses to provide wellness wrap around support This position was added to the department in August 2024 in response to the policy review where many students indicated that they would appreciate this type of support.
In 2024-25 the Gwich’in Tribal Council continued to co-fund the Employment Officer positions in Aklavik and Teetł’it Zheh, along with the Workforce Development Coordinator in Inuvik These positions assisted in recruiting program participants, career planning, job searches, resume development, and accessing postsecondary funding These positions provide clients with access to computers, fax, printers, job postings, and other resources The Employment Officer position in Teetł’it Zheh was vacant for most of this year The Workforce Development Coordinator assisted Gwich’in Participants from Teetł’it Zheh and Tsiigehtchic when requested.
A major initiative of the department in 2023-24 was to conduct a thorough review of our programs, policies, and funding with the goal of improving the accessibility of our funding programs We completed this review in June 2024 and implemented our new policies starting in August 2024 Highlights from the policy review include:
Increased base bursary amounts
Increased part time funding and made it more accessible
Creation of a student wellness support position
Increased access to funding for post-graduate
Increased book allowance
Annual transcripts vs each semester
One application for all funding streams
Increased access to short course funding for students outside the GSA
The GTC identified the following program areas as priorities to support through funds received from the Indigenous Skills Employment Training Program (ISET), the Post Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP), and the Gwich’in Education Fund (GEF):
Trades
Workplace Readiness
Post-Secondary
Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP)
University and College Access Program (UCAP)
Youth
Targeted Wage Subsidies
Wellness Support
During 2024-25 GTC provided financial support for 12 Gwich’in Participants to pursue trades training in programs such as heavy equipment operator, plumber, culinary arts, carpentry, heavy equipment technician, electrical, hairstyling, and preapprenticeship
The GTC initiated a partnership with Vancouver Community College (VCC) during the 2023-24 fiscal year to offer a locally developed culinary program The program was designed to introduce participants to basic culinary skills that would allow them to
access work in a restaurant, at a camp kitchen, open their own catering business, and consider if they want to pursue further culinary training This program was delivered at the Gwich’in Wellness Camp in April, June and August to 17 Participants
During the first 4-week delivery of this program, students were introduced to working in a commercial kitchen, including workplace safety, sanitation, technical skills, time management, organizational systems personal health and safety, community wellness and professionalism Students were introduced to the technical skills of culinary production, in addition to basic organizational systems to manage prep, recipe execution, and environmental safety systems. Health and Safety system principals were introduced, with the invitation to include community Health and Wellness content and/or local values, including environmental stewardship, regenerative conservation, sustainability, connection to land and local ingredient use Kitchen safety and sanitation principals were introduced and practiced daily for learning
In the final session, Chef Steph Baryluk teamed up with Chef Erin Vickars from VCC to deliver a meal rooted in local Indigenous cuisine Chef Steph created a menu featuring locally harvested and locally available ingredients and worked with the students over 3 days culminating in a meal served to guests of the camp.
The goal was to have the same cohort of 8 Gwich’in Participants complete the entire program; however, some students chose not to continue for a variety of reasons including opportunities for work and family commitments Eleven Gwich’in Participants completed at least one training session Three Gwich’in Participants successfully completed the entire program Three Gwich’in Participants obtained jobs in food services after participating in this program
In 2024-25, the GTC was able to approve funding for post-secondary students as follows:
7 students received ISETs top up funding for OCAP/UCEP programming.
64 post-secondary students received ISETs top up funding
31 post-secondary students received PSSSP funding as a primary funding source, including 4 post graduate degrees: 2 completing their Master’s Degree, one Juris Doctor, and one Doctor of Medicine
79 post-secondary students received GEF bursaries, including 3 students completing their Master’s Degree and one working on a PhD
GTC has provided financial supports for students in a variety of academic disciplines including: health, education and early childhood education, trades, science, social work, business and administration, and environmental studies.
The GTC Education and Training Department did not host a significant number of short courses in 2024-25 Early in 2024, Camp Services Training was offered in partnership with Arctic Response to provide 12 Gwich’in Participants with 11 different certifications, including: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), Food Safety, Spill Response, Workers Safety and Compensation Commission Supervisor, Basic Ice Safety, Snowmobile Operator, Predator Defense, Tracking, Wilderness First Aid, Firearm’s Safety, and Chainsaw Safety. This program proved to be very popular, with over 35 applications received for the 12 seats and was officially completed in April 2024 We then hosted the culinary program, as outlined above From there we shifted from directly delivering short courses to funding students to attend courses that were being offered by local and regional service providers, as the past few rounds of safety training that GTC coordinated and delivered were not well attended.
The following table summarizes short course support provided in 2024-25:
*Courses not offered through GTC but Participant expenses were supported.
The department continues to partner with the following organizations to offer input into program development:
Aurora College
Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council
Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Government of NWT
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
NWT ISETs Managers
Yukon University
We will continue to work with the following partners as appropriate for program delivery:
Arctic Response Canada
Vancouver Community College
The department remains committed to reducing barriers and increasing access to education and training opportunities for Gwich’in Participants
Effective April 2024 the Department was relocated to the Semmler Building in Inuvik We look forward to providing easily accessible career and education development services, including career counselling, resume building, job searches, and application assistance to Gwich’in Participants We hope our office will be bustling with activity as we begin to host short course training in our new classroom space.
We introduced the Adik’anaantii Coordinator this year to implement a more holistic approach to education programming, including wraparound services to support student/client wellness As this role evolves, we will be able to provide more information and more support to students as they attend post-secondary programs To date, the Adik’anaantii Coordinator reached out to all Gwich’in post-secondary students and has helped students connect with services such as counselling, tutoring, and beneficial short courses
She has created student information resources for three post-secondary institutions, including how to access mental health support, where to access medical care, how to get bus passes, local grocery stores, and much more She will continue to create these resources focusing on institutions that are commonly attend by Gwich’in Participants
A future goal for this role is to create short workshops for students to attend prior to heading to school, focusing on study tips, mental health tips, and financial management We anticipate that this role will evolve as we communicate more effectively with our students and gain a better understanding of their needs
Mahsi cho!
MICHELLE WRIGHT
Drin Gwįįzii Dinjii Zhuh kat!
The Early Learning and Language department remains focused on meeting the needs of Gwich’in Participants by offering early learning and language programming and services. Despite the department’s initial lack in resource capacity, the year has been marked by significant achievements in our journey to revitalize, preserve, and promote our Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik ending the year with a nearly filled dynamic language team that are laying a strong foundation for the work ahead I am pleased to present this report, which highlights our progress in serving our people and strengthening our organization It is a privilege to work with such a talented and dedicated team
I am grateful and honoured to lead the GTC Early Learning and Language department and am happy
to present this report on the accomplishments and ongoing initiatives of the department This report reflects the hard work and dedication of our team, who are committed to serving our Dinjii Zhuh and advancing the goals of our organization
As the Manager of Early Learning and Language I am responsible for leading and overseeing the development, delivery, and evaluation of both early learning and language programs and services and ensure that strategic action plans and priorities are followed for language programming within and outside the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA) The department’s key responsibilities are:
Managing, planning, and administering the departmental budgets for projects, programs, and services related to early learning and language;
Collaborating with and supporting schools and early learning centres to enhance and deliver Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik programming;
Seeking and advocating for funding opportunities;
Promoting, preserving, maintaining and revitalizing Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik;
Engaging and building relationships with communities to identify goals and needs for programming; and,
Providing representation on language revitalization and early learning forums
The department welcomed three new staff to the language department in 2024-25, a Gwich’in Curriculum Coordinator and two Community Language Coordinators These positions were proposed during the Iindòo Tr’eedàh Language Gathering 2023 to meet community needs and advance initiatives for revitalizing and preserving Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik The increase in department personnel allowed us to advance initiatives, such as working in collaboration with language instructors in GSA schools, offer language programming in communities, and continue developing early learning and language curriculum and resources. The department now has an Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Coordinator (based in Teetł’it Zheh), Language Revitalization Specialist and Gwich’in Curriculum Coordinator based in Inuvik and two Community Language Coordinators (one based in Teetł’it Zheh, one in Inuvik)
Here are some key roles of each position:
Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare
Coordinator: establishing early learning centres in communities and support with resources and program development that are guided by Gwich’in values and the Gwich’in Early Learning and Childcare Framework
Language Revitalization Specialist: to implement Gwich’in language revitalization strategies and actions in accordance with the Gwich’in Language Plan and work with key language partners to support language activities.
Gwich’in Curriculum Coordinator: support the development of language curriculum and learning resources
Community Language Coordinators: coordinate language revitalization activities and programs in their respective community
Our department received both territorial and federal funding this year, which enabled us to advance the strategic goals and recommendations outlined in our previous five-year plan These funds also supported new initiatives stemming from the 2023 Iindòo Tr’eedàh Language Gathering
A contribution of $613,000 from GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment, part of their multi-year commitment to language revitalization, enabled a wide range of projects We partnered with Reel Youth and schools to interview and document elder’s stories, continued to support our Language Champion initiative (pairing mentors with latent speaker to strengthen their Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik, and invested in promotional materials featuring our new department logo The funding also allowed us to attend two language revitalization conferences, which led to valuable partnerships for curriculum development
We collaborated with Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council (the local school board), to create a rites of passage program for girls, reprinted essential language reference materials, and developed new language resources Furthermore, we contributed to two language projects: the development of a children’s book and sponsored travel to record Gwich’in elder, Rose Potts Looking ahead, funds have been allocated for a June 2025 Gwich’in Language Symposium to foster collaboration and partnerships with our Gwich’in neighbours, Alaska and the Yukon, on language revitalization initiatives, resources and programming among the three nations
The department secured one-year language funding from the Department of Heritage Canada for the 2024-2025 year This funding enabled the hiring of key staff and supported programs and resources. Specifically, salary costs were covered for the Language Revitalization Specialist, the Gwich’in Curriculum Coordinator, and two Language Coordinators in Inuvik and Teetł’it Zheh, along with honoraria for Elders, consultants and language holders.
The funding also facilitated the delivery of language classes, a Gwich’in translator and interpreter workshop, on-the-land language immersion camps, language nest assessment and resources, and the development of a language teacher training curriculum and accredited course for summer 2025 This enhanced staffing capacity allows for strengthened revitalization efforts and increased accessibility to language learning opportunities for Gwich’in Participants.
Our Gwichyah virtual language classes continued to thrive, providing accessible learning opportunities for Gwich’in across our communities and beyond Thanks to technology we are able to provide Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik learning to Gwich’in Participants within and outside the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA) In 2024-25, we added two Teetł’it classes to our virtual language learning options. These virtual classes provide Gwich’in Participants the opportunity to maintain contact with Gwich’in while learning their Dinjii Zhuh language. We are so grateful for our language instructors and the hard work they do towards language revitalization
Gwich’in
The immersive experience of our on-the-land language camps provided opportunities for Gwich’in Participants to learn and use Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik in a rich and meaningful context, connecting with the land, Elders, and traditional knowledge holders In July, the department hired a camp coordinator to organize a Gwichyah Language Fish camp at the Gwich’in Wellness Camp in Inuvik Eight Gwich’in Participants joined Gwichyah elders and language speakers and participated in various activities and games around harvesting and preparing fish for drying In September, a Teetł’it language camp occurred at Midway Lake with 10 Gwich’in Participants attending from across the GSA The intergenerational learning and connections that occurred during these camps made language learning particularly successful Participants at both camps noted how their language fluency increased, their cultural connection strengthened, and overall positive impact on their wellbeing and engagement with Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik We are happy to offer these seasonal language immersion camps and will continue to build upon and offer language camps in 2025-2026
Language
With dedicated team members, a number of language resources were developed This included resources for the Gwich’in Language Nest, coordinating the development of a Kindergarten to Grade 12 interactive language app, and resource creation for the community language classes These resources are essential tools for both learners and teachers, ensuring the accessibility and longevity of Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik
Our department actively participated in the Supporting Indigenous Language Revitalization Conference in Edmonton, AB and the Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium in Victoria, BC These conferences provided invaluable opportunities to network with other language advocates, share best practices, and gain insights into innovative language revitalization strategies
Translator
Recognizing the critical role of translators and interpreters, we held a workshop focused on terminology, training needs, considerations of intellectual property, processes for service providers, and the need for language committees This initiative strengthens our capacity to effectively communicate in our languages across various sectors.
In the past fiscal year, the department established a key partnership with University of Alaska Gwich’in language instructor This collaboration is set to deliver an accredited language course in the upcoming fiscal year, providing learners with a strong foundation of Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik and establishing pathways for further language acquisition and professional growth A key component of this partnership includes professional development opportunities for our schools’ Gwich’in language instructors, who work with the University of Alaska instructor to refine their teaching methodologies
Hiring community language coordinators in Teetł’it Zheh and Inuvik enhanced local Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik learning opportunities Programs offered in Teetł’it Zheh included a Moms and Tots program, Sewing, and Chillig singing. In Inuvik Gwich’in Language Circles were available for community members and Language Nest families to support their child’s language learning and language revitalization efforts in general. For broader accessibility, the Kaiik’it language app is available for download and provides foundational greetings and phrases by our Gwichyah and Teetł’it Elders with ongoing module development to support learner progression Further community engagement was fostered thanks to Gwich’in Chef Steph Baryluk who worked with our language team and elders to provide cooking-focused language lessons and prepared participants with an incredible meal A video resource demonstrating the preparation of fish by our Gwich’in chef and an elder was produced following the community tour
In collaboration with Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute of Alaska, who provides the database and technical support, GTC will have an online dictionary and database This platform will serve as a central repository for housing Teetł’it and Gwichyah dictionary terms and corresponding audio recordings across a wide variety of topics This valuable resource will be a huge asset for language learning initiatives, documentation efforts, and the development of reference materials
To preserve elders’ knowledge and stories and foster engagement between generations, the department partnered with Beaufort Delta District Education Council’s (BDDEC) Regional Indigenous Language Educators and Reel Youth, a media empowerment project for youth, on a school project in Aklavik and Inuvik We offered a workshop that allowed interested students to gain school credit while refining their skills in interviewing elders, videography, leadership, and documentary filmmaking The short documentaries produced through this project, now available on our website and at reelyouth ca, preserve valuable elder knowledge and stories and fosters intergenerational engagement between elder and youth The goal of this project was to preserve elders’ knowledge and stories for access by all Gwich’in and to engage youth and elders The Language Team is committed to continuing this important work and will offer the project to students in Tsiigehtchic and again in Teetł’it Zheh in the 2025-26 school year
The Early Learning division is dedicated to nurturing the physical, emotional, and cultural growth of our youngest community members. Our core mission remains centred on working with communities to offer high quality programming that is deeply rooted in our rich cultural heritage, language, and Gwich’in values We have certainly experienced challenges this year with establishing early learning centres in all communities, but we are committed to building our partnerships with community organizations and leadership to ensure the needs of children and families are met This section outlines our key initiatives, achievements, and the challenges encountered throughout the year in our ongoing efforts to provide early learning opportunities.
Our overarching goals for the reporting period were to:
Identify and address the varied early learning needs of children and families throughout the region
Work with communities to develop high-quality early learning programs that promote Gwich’in language acquisition and reflect our culture and values. Strengthen partnerships and collaborations to enhance the reach and effectiveness of our early learning initiatives
Advocate for and contribute to systemic changes that support the unique early learning needs of Indigenous children and families
This year, the Early Learning Department has made significant strides in advancing our early learning agenda Key highlights include:
Tr’iinin Tsal Ginjik Ge’tr’oonahtunGwich’in Language Nest: The Gwich’in Language Nest in Inuvik is in its sixth year of operation The nest includes ten children, a fluent instructor, and two staff The language nest provides a vital language learning environment for young Gwich’in to connect with and learn our Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik GTC language and early learning staff continue to strengthen our partnership by offering
professional development opportunities and develop language learning resources
Teetł’it Zheh Aboriginal Head Start: We have continued to work on re-establishment of an Aboriginal Head Start program in Teetł’it Zheh GTC’s Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Coordinator established an advisory committee with representation from Teetł’it Zheh organizations and community members. This group will lead the development of the Aboriginal Head Start, determine the programming that meets community needs, and find a suitable location to house the site for the Aboriginal Head Start in Teetł’it Zheh
Creation of an NWT Caucus with Indigenous Governments: A significant achievement this year was the successful formation of a territorial caucus comprising of Indigenous governments This caucus is designed to take a leading role in discussions and decision-making regarding the distribution formula and allocation of early learning funds received from the Government of Canada, ensuring that funding directly addresses the priorities and needs of our communities
and
on the NWT Aboriginal Head Start Council: Our division has actively participated in and collaborated with the Aboriginal Head Start Council This engagement has allowed us to share best practices, learn from other programs, and contribute to the broader and strengthening of Aboriginal Head Start initiatives
Despite our successes, we have experienced challenges, particularly in making significant headway with the physical establishment and full operation of the Aboriginal Head Start and early learning programs These challenges have included navigating complex administrative processes, securing suitable infrastructure, and ensuring full community representation We are actively working to address these hurdles and remain committed to the successful launch of this crucial program to serve the children and families in the GSA
The past year has been a testament to the resilience, dedication, and collaboration of our communities for the advancement of initiatives for language revitalization and early learning. The funding secured and the successful implementation of our programs have laid a strong foundation for continued growth and impact We move forward with optimism and commitment to our vision: a future where our languages thrive, are spoken with pride, and are passed on to generations to come We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to our success – our Elders, language champions, community members, partners, and dedicated staff Together, we will continue to strengthen our languages.
The key initiatives for 2024-25 are: establishing language committees in each community; knowledge and language documentation workshops; establishing early learning centres in each community; securing funding for a Language Preservation Specialist; development of a K-12 Gwich’in language learning app; and, offering a Certified Teacher training program.
SHARON SNOWSHOE
The Department of Culture & Heritage (DCH) is responsible for reporting on annual projects. The DCH has a mandate to document, preserve and promote Gwich’in culture, language, traditional knowledge and values The DCH is comprised of the Director (Sharon Snowshoe), the Cultural & Heritage Co-ordinator (Arlyn Charlie) and the Cultural Heritage Consultant (Kristi Benson)
The following projects are based on the Strategic Plan for the Department of Culture & Heritage 2024 to 2029.
The Department of Culture & Heritage (DCH) is responsible for reporting on their projects The primary categories for which we received funding in 2024-2025 are:
1.Gwich’in Culture and Heritage: covers administration and project activities relating to Culture and Heritage, including responsibilities surrounding the implementation of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA) and providing input and recommendations on GTC policies, guidelines and regulations regarding culture and heritage
2.DCH Operations: covers the overall operation and administration costs of the DCH.
In 2024-2025, the Department of Culture and Heritage has participated in or reviewed:
Land use and water permit applications from the GLWB, MVLWB, GLR, among others
Changes to GLWB/MVLWB policy and procedures
Research applications via the Aurora Research Institute and the NWT Archaeology office
Treaty implementation
Land Use Planning and protection of the Peel River Watershed (Yukon Transboundary)
Development Assessment (Yukon Transboundary)
Sharing GSCI photos and other relevant content to our social media
Geographical place names work
Website upgrade Harvard Media began working on upgrading the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Website during the fall of 2024 The DCH’s website will be integrated into the overall website of the GTC
Other plans, protocols and processes as needed
In addition, the Department is currently undertaking the following larger-scale projects:
Na’kwendo Gwaiijit (for our future generations): Gwich’in Legacy Project
This is a priority multi-year DCH/Northwest Territories (NWT) Archives partnership that will preserve Gwich’in research material to archival standards and transfer the collection to the NWT Archives
It is expected that this project will continue into 2025/2026, with the finalization of various digitizing and logging tasks, as well as assisting the archives in their work cataloguing the collection DCH received funding from Library and Archives Canada for the fiscal year of 2024/2025 to hire an archivist to work in the NWT Archives with our collection Additional funding from Cultural Education Centre Program was received to assist with logging tasks and other work that is required for this project
DCH has partnered with Fort Simpson Historical Society to create a website and an exhibition to showcase life on the land prior to European contact, the signing of treaty 11, and provides a focus on issues that affect Indigenous communities after land claim implementation The website incorporates games and art for user experience We will be adding a section that will be focused on climate change and changes to the Mackenzie River after 100 years of signing the treaty A website called Sneak Peek was launched in 2023
DCH has partnered with Theatre of Fire, Myrna Pokiak, and Pricilla Carpenter to develop stories from elders and connect youth with historic artifacts that relate to Elder’s stories This project will scan artifacts in 3 dimensions and users will be able to interact with the items in an interactive exhibit Drew Ann Wake and Chuck Arnold travelled to Ulukhaktok during the week of November 18th to work on the exhibit and website based on the artifacts and art that are in the Helen Kalvak Elihakvik (School) which would include stories
told by elders Students and Chaperons from Ulukhaktok did a tour of museums in Yellowknife, Edmonton and Ottawa the week of March 23 to 30 , 2025 th
In addition to the Lessons from our Elders Project, the DCH explored the idea considering the repatriation of clothing from Judy Osborne The Department has sought funding to see where the clothing would be stored and if a workshop to develop skills on rabbit skin knitting can be delivered in the future An exhibit was set up at Chief Julius School in September 2024 of clothing items which were donated by John and Judy Osborne. These items consisted of a child’s outfit made of rabbit skin with a beaded belt, a large dog sled, beaded mitts, a moose skin purse and a caribou skin parka and boots and other items, which were repatriated to Fort McPherson A mini launch was celebrated on September 18 with a lunch and public viewing of the exhibition at Chief Julius School During the week of November 4, 2024, a website viewing was held with elders in Fort McPherson along with activities with three teachers and students The team
did a presentation on the 50 Years Ago website, 50yearsago.ca to the Beaufort-Delta Teachers’ Professional Development Gathering in Inuvik on November 13 and 14, 2024 to display what is in the website and receive feedback on how the teachers can use the website A presentation on the website was delivered to GTC staff on November 13 who would like to use the website for a course and suggested adding in a part on treaty Continued work was done on the 50 years ago website th Environment and Climate Change Canada This is in partnership with University of Alberta with Dr Brenda Parlee building off aspects of the Tracking Changes Project The project is entitled, “Confronting climate change on the “Big River” – Nagwichoonjik –Deh / Des Cho – Sipi. DCH worked with U of A team to draft content for fish camp modules and deliver fish camps with a focus on climate change in each region with youth/elders
Arlyn Charlie, the Culture and Heritage Coordinator,, completed a 14-minute video about climate change on the Peel River titled: Climate Change along the Teetł’it Gwinjik (Peel River) A fish camp was held in the Sahtu region in September 2024 and a video will be produced on climate change from that camp as well In addition, two interviews with elders were recorded on climate change Three of six scripts for modules
have been completed and will be constructed into an online course hosted by the University of Alberta The first two modules focus on the Gwich’in region, with an introduction to the Nagwichoonjik and Teachings from the Gwich’in about Nagwichoonjik being the first two lessons The DCH estimates that the online courses will be completed by December 2025
Gwich’in Forum: Planning 2024-2025
To best meet the needs and research orientation of the Gwich’in communities, the Department is setting up a Gwich’in-specific and Gwich’inappropriate research oversight body The DCH spoke with numerous people in the last few years and decided that the Gwich’in Forum will have knowledgeable Elders, youth, academics, land-users and those with familiarity with policy and governance The Forum will be a place to learn and share as much as it will be a body for oversight and decision-making assistance to the Department The Department has applied for funding under New Horizons for Seniors Community-Based Projects RFP for 2025-2026 to implement a research oversight body
The DCH will produce a map (GIS layer) of the different traditional ecological categories and taxonomies to assist with license reviews This will be based on existing dataset and on-the-land research, along with workshops in the communities The Department continues to work with the Gwich’in Land Use Planning Board and their GIS contractors (Ausenco) on this and are working to develop the GIS layer which will be ground-truthed in summer 2025 In addition, we provided a grant to the University of Victoria for use by a graduate student of Dr. Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe in Claire Singer’s project titled Berry harvest in the Northwest Territories: Addressing food security with Indigenous Knowledge-led species distribution modelling
DCH continues to work on a project about muskrats, birds, and cranberries The focus in 2024-25 was to verify the muskrat report and to undertake two bird workshops The muskrat verification session was in April 2024 and included trappers, knowledge-holders, and scientists It included knowledge-sharing and verification of the report The bird workshops were
held in October 2024 in Fort McPherson (October 2 ) and Inuvik (October 3 ), and focused on knowledgesharing and identification of knowledge gaps about birds nd rd
Funding proposals were submitted to numerous sources, including Ărramăt, Hotıì ts’eeda, NWT on the land collaborative, and Telus Indigenous Community fund
The Department offered several on-the-land camps in 2024 A second berry camp was held in early August of 2024 at Midway Lake Participants spent the week harvesting berries, traversing the land and learning about TK regarding berries
Finally, the Department successfully offered a jiggling camp at Husky River on December 9, 2024 Harvested fish from this camp was processed by a community elder, and the food was distributed to elders in the community and to elders’ programs Another camp was hosted in January 2025 and participants travelled to Esau River and spent the day fishing
The department is planning to apply for funds for an on-the-land project to work with youth to understand their knowledge and identities relating to bio-diversity, gender and inclusivity This will happen in September of 2025
A proposal was submitted to Arramat for caribou hunting in the 4 communities in GSA between youth and elders This funding was secured DCH contributed funding to a group in Fort McPherson who did a successful moose hunt and berry picking camp up the Peel River in Fort McPherson from September 14 to 19, 2024 A caribou hunt took place in Aklavik in the month of December 2024
The Department plans to seek funding to add photos and videos to the On-line Atlas in 20252026.
The Department is well underway in the process to publish a series of new children’s books created from the multi-prize winning Elders Biography book We have received several grants for the children’s books, which were created from the Elders Biography book This book began with the recording of the Teetł’it and Gwichya Gwich’in stories in the 1990s
Whitefish in the Peel with GRRB and Dr Lantz
Permafrost TK with Dr Lantz
The paper entitled “All the rivers we used to travel by” was accepted for publication in the Journal Regional Environmental Change
Ethno-Astronomy Project and Boy in the Moon book with Dr Horowitz
Permafrost degradation with Dr Musetta-Lambert
Mackenzie River Basin Project with Dr Galloway The Department provided Dr Galloway with contacts at Inuvialuit Communication Society and Amos Scott to do video on the results of her project
Organizational Learning / Health Research with Crystal Milligan Crystal is completing her medical travel research project and writing an article for a medical article on research for a journal with co-author Sharla Greenland
Delta ethnography with Dr Krause Alestine Andre, who work for the Department for many years, was invited to Germany by Dr Krause to do presentations at Cologne University and Munich University between November 2024 and January 2025
Historic Effects with SnowChange The EU-funded Arctic PASSION project has been producing a world class Gwich’in Event Database (public version)
Grizzly Bear Workshop with GNWT
Caitlin Blanchfield has been working on a project about land claims and architecture in the North Caitlyn completed her thesis and video on land claims and architecture in the North in November 2024. The Department shared her video on our FB page.
Susanna Gartler - Nunataryuk Project Update: Permafrost Workshop Reports and Permafrost Atlas Crystal Fraser – Gwich in Treaty Histories
Mathieu Lamontagne-Cumiford – What was, is and might be: Cartography on Arctic Shores
Maya Townend – verification with TK holders on Dolly Varden interviews
Angela Mashford-Pringle – Hearing First Nations Voices: First Nations Data, Research & Governance
Chance Oil and Gas Limited s, Eagle Plains Exploration Project is on hold for now
Gwich’in Tribal Council Strategic Plan and Land Based Program tied to Culture and Wellness
Hotii Ts’eeda NWT Spor Support Unit Sally Ross of the GTC Department of Health and Wellness will sit on the Governance Council for Hotii Ts’eeda
Work with various academics to highlight Gwich’in culture and Gwich’in participants
Teetł’it Gwich’in Googwandak Land Use History Project is ongoing
Teetł’it Gwich’in National Historic Site Project with Yukon partners DCH with Parks Canada met on July 03, 2024, on next steps for the nomination
ABEKS – find storage for materials from interviews done by Gwich’in participants Secured storage with NWT Archives
PCMB – Trailmark – as a software service provider engaged by PCMB for the purposes of the Caribou Data Mobilization Project A Caribou Traditional Knowledge verification workshop was held on July 11, 2024, in Fort McPherson
Crystal Fraser, University of Alberta DCH will work with Crystal on a Residential School Brochure for publishing DCH reviewed the residential school brochure designed by Crystal Fraser in April
Crystal Fraser hosted a Residential School Gathering in Inuvik on November 26, 2024, with elders on the topic of commemoration
Tsiigehnjik (Arctic Red River) Canadian Heritage River
Yukon Place Names submission
Modern treaties book launched took place at the Land Claims Agreements Coalition Conference in Ottawa which includes a chapter on GSCI was very well received from February 24-26, 2025 A similar book launch will take place in May in Yellowknife at the annual Hotıì ts'eeda Ełèts’ehdèe
Interest in the Nomination of the Dehcho/Deho/Fleuve Mackenzie/ Grand Riviére/Kuukpak/Mackenzie River/Nagwichoonjik to the Canadian Heritage River System
The Gwich’in Wellness Camp continued to serve as
The Gwich’in Wellness Camp continued to serve as a vital land-based hub for learning, healing, and a vital land-based hub for learning, healing, and cultural reconnection throughout the 2024–2025 cultural reconnection throughout the 2024–2025 fiscal year Located within the heart of the Gwich’in fiscal year Located within the heart of the Gwich’in Settlement Area, the camp hosted a wide range of Settlement Area, the camp hosted a wide range programs that reflect our commitment to programs that reflect our commitment to language revitalization, cultural knowledge, healing language revitalization, cultural knowledge, healing practices, and skills development rooted in practices, and skills development rooted in Gwich’in Values and traditions Gwich’in Values and traditions.
The fiscal year began with an open house at the Wellness Camp in April 2024, inviting Gwich’in participants from across the Settlement Area to visit the site This event provided a valuable opportunity for the community to see firsthand the resources and tools developed to support wellness and cultural programming Participants engaged with camp staff, explored the grounds, and shared ideas on how the camp could continue to evolve as a space for cultural and personal growth
In partnership with the GTC Language Department, the Wellness Camp hosted a ten-
day Language Immersion Fish Camp in July 2024 This immersive experience allowed participants to deepen their understanding of Gwich’in language through daily use in a traditional landbased setting The camp focused on intergenerational language sharing, with fluent speakers, Elders, and youth working side by side as fish were caught, cleaned, and prepared using traditional methods The environment fostered both linguistic and cultural revival
Held in March 2025, the Womanhood Workshop created a space for intergenerational learning and storytelling centered around traditional Gwich’in knowledge Participants explored themes such as ceremony, relationships, childbirth, and
childrearing practices Importantly, the workshop also emphasized the need to create safe(r) and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ2S+ individuals to engage in these cultural discussions These teachings were grounded in Gwich’in worldview and language, reaffirming the importance of Dinjii Zhuh Ky’ùu as a tool for knowledge transmission and community healing
The Wellness Camp also served as a training ground for participants interested in campbased vocational skills Two cohorts of the Culinary Arts – Camp Cook Training Program were held in April and August 2024, providing hands-on instruction in preparing meals in landbased camp environments Participants gained both practical kitchen experience and exposure to food safety practices
In April 2024, the Camp Maintainer Training Program was also delivered, offering technical
skills for maintaining and supporting camp infrastructure These training sessions not only provided valuable job skills but also helped build local capacity to support the continued operation of the camp itself
The camp hosted its first 30-Day On-the-Land Healing Camp from September to October 2024 This intensive, culturally grounded wellness program supported 12 participants through a month-long journey of reflection, traditional healing, and connection to the land Through a blend of cultural activities, talking circles, and one-on-one sessions with healers, the program marked a significant milestone in community-led healing
In February 2025, the 12-Day Men’s Healing Camp brought together 11 male participants, supported entirely by an all-male staff team including traditional healers, facilitators, and
camp operations crew This program created an environment rooted in trust, accountability, and traditional masculinity offering a space for healing from intergenerational trauma, grief, and substance abuse
In Summer 2024, the Gwich’in Wellness Camp hosted the final stop for the first annual “We Are United As One” Canoe Trip This event brought together paddlers with Elders from throughout the region in a celebration of Gwich’in unity, nationhood, and connection to the land The camp provided logistical and cultural support, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone for landbased programming in the GSA
Several outside organizations utilized the Wellness Camp for programming in 2024–2025, demonstrating its growing reputation as a premier land-based operations site in the North:
Children First Society held a summer landbased learning opportunity at the camp for their early childhood education programming
The Canadian Armed Forces rented the camp for Operation Nanook-Nunalivut in February–March 2025, a northern sovereignty and emergency response training exercise
A private film production team filming the television series Alone rented the site in late 2024 as a base camp. This partnership highlighted the growing interest in the site as a unique wilderness location
As we reflect on a successful and impactful year, the Gwich’in Wellness Camp remains committed to fostering wellness, cultural resurgence, and Gwich’in self-determination through every program delivered The events and partnerships hosted during the 2024–2025 fiscal year have laid strong foundations for future growth and continued service to Gwich’in participants of all ages and backgrounds
ELLEN TORNG
Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) Process.
2024/25 RIRSD Negotiation Updates
The Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA), signed in 1992, marked a historic milestone for the Gwich'in Nation As one of only three modern treaties signed in Canada at the time, the GCLCA established the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) as the representative body for Gwich'in participants and affirmed their rights to land, resources, and self-determination It was a significant step toward recognizing Gwich'in governance and jurisdiction However, while groundbreaking in its time, much of the language and structure of the agreement reflect the limitations of that era and do not fully align with the evolving legal, political, and policy standards that now guide IndigenousCrown relations
Since the signing of the GCLCA, Canada and the Northwest Territories have adopted stronger frameworks for recognizing Indigenous rights and title Landmark Supreme Court decisions such as Haida Nation and Tsilhqot’in Nation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIPA) have reshaped how Indigenous authority, governance, and decision-making are understood and upheld In response to this
evolving legal landscape, Canada introduced the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and SelfDetermination (RIRSD) process an approach that moves away from outdated extinguishment models and offers a renewed path for updating modern treaties
The Gwich'in Tribal Council is currently participating in negotiation under this broader treaty modernization effort Together, these negotiation tracks reflect the GTC’s strategic commitment to aligning the 1992 GCLCA with current legal and policy standards, while advancing the Nation’s long-term goals of cultural, political, and economic self-reliance
The GTC has made progress in the ongoing RIRSD tables throughout fiscal year 2024/25 As part of the GTC's efforts to modernize the GCLCA, negotiations have focused on the following crucial areas:
Chapter 3: “Cede, Release and Surrender” Clause
Chapter 6: Dispute Resolution
Chapter 12: Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board (GRRB) Fiscal Policy
This report provides an update on progress made in those key chapters.
Chapter 3: Treaty Modernization: removal of “cede, release and surrender” from GCLCA
Prepared by: Max Faille, Managing Partner, Cochrane & Sinclaire, Vancouver
In 2024, the GTC continued in its engagement with Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories to come to terms on modernizing the GCLCA A key objective in this regard has been to remove from the GCLCA the extinguishment, or “cede, release and surrender,” of Gwich’in Aboriginal and treaty rights At the time the GCLCA was negotiated and finalized, federal policy required that Aboriginal groups agree to “cede, release and surrender” their pre-existing Aboriginal and treaty rights as a condition for the federal government entering into a modern treaty with them This approach has been described as one in which Aboriginal groups were forced to “exchange” one set of rights (inherent Aboriginal and historic treaty rights) for another set of rights (modern treaty rights under the GCLCA) This was agreed to at the time by Gwich’in because there was no alternative if the Gwich’in wished to gain the significant rights, recognitions, benefits and compensation that were secured under the GCLCA Without Gwich’in concession on this point, there would not have been any GCLCA to sign.
In recent years, however, federal policy has finally changed, under pressure from the Gwich’in and many Indigenous Nations across Canada Under new federal policy regarding current and future modern treaty negotiations, the federal government no longer requires that Aboriginal groups relinquish their pre-existing rights as a condition of entering into a modern treaty with them In addition, also in response to lobbying from Aboriginal nations, Canada has come to accept that treaties are not “full and final” settlements, but instead are the foundation for permanent, lasting Nation-to-Nation relationships That relationship evolves over time, in response to changing circumstances Canada now accepts what Indigenous people have always asserted: that treaties are living documents and should evolve as needed
The GTC successfully lobbied Canada to agree to enter into negotiations with it in order to align the GCLCA with this new policy and approach. GTC has argued that its inherent Aboriginal rights, as well as its rights under Treaty 11, should be fully restored, and that the GCLCA should recognize and implement Gwich’in rights under a clear framework. GTC has also stressed that the GCLCA should be allowed to evolve with time in order to ensure that
it is always meeting its underlying purposes, objectives, meaning and intent At the same time, the GTC recognizes that all parties (and third parties who live or operate within the GSA) need clarity and certainty as to what their rights and obligations are at any given time Canada and the GNWT agreed, and negotiations have been ongoing in this regard
In 2024, very significant progress was made in relation to these negotiations, including at Main Table negotiation sessions held in May and July 2024 The parties continued to develop the draft revised Chapter 3 that would remove the “cede, release & surrender” clauses, and replace them with language of recognition and implementation and Gwich’in inherent and treaty rights, including rights under Treaty 11 The proposed changes would also provide for regular, periodic review of the treaty to ensure that it is always meeting its objectives and purposes, as a “living treaty” and consistent with a true Nation-to-Nation relationship Very few outstanding issues remain, and an agreement appeared to be close Unfortunately, Canada then paused negotiations as a result of the GTC elections for Grand Chief and subsequent legal proceedings, and the recently-completed federal election
With both now behind us, the GTC will press forward with negotiations with a view to completing them as soon as possible
Background and Amendments
Prepared by: Jeff Langlois, JFK LAW LLP
Through the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) process the GTC worked over the last year to finalize and implement amendments to both Chapter 6 (Dispute Resolution) and Chapter 12 (Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board) The GTC has passed resolutions in respect to amendments negotiated in regard to: Chapter 6 (Dispute Resolution) – Chapter 6 has been amended in its entirety, with a brand-new chapter being negotiated to replace the existing Chapter 6 In the original GCLCA, there was only one way (formal arbitration) for the GTC to seek to resolve disputes with Canada and the GNWT regarding the interpretation and implementation of the GCLCA The new chapter provides new ways to resolve disputes that are more accessible and cost efficient This approach provides a four-stage approach designed to address issues related to the interpretation, application, or implementation of the agreement:
Non-facilitated discussions (i e formal discussions regarding an identified dispute); Facilitated discussions (i e obtaining assistance of different kinds to resolve a dispute)
Adjudicative processes (i e use of arbitration proceedings)
Legal proceedings (i.e. use of courts to resolve disputes)
Prepared by: Jeff Langlois, JFK LAW LLP
In December 2024, the GTC BOD has approved amendments to Chapter 12 that will allow the GTC to directly appoint members to the GRRB Currently, the GTC can only nominate members to be appointed by Canada Other modern treaty groups have direct appointment powers and Canada’s appointment process has been very slow, depriving the GRRB of a full roster of members on numerous occasions
Over the last year, the GTC has worked with Canada and the GNWT to formalize these amendments and plan for their implementation Canada has formally agreed to the amendments to Chapter 6 and those will take effect early in fiscal year 2025-2026 and we will continue to work to formalize the amendments proposed to Chapter 12 (which still requires Canada’s final approval)
Prepared by David V Wright JD, MA, LLM
The past year saw more positive steps forward in the collaborative fiscal policy process, which is a key part of the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination (RIRSD) initiative in the GTC context With institutional capacity funding now flowing annually, the process has moved on to focus on funding for lands and resources The GTC is part of the broader fiscal policy table that includes modern treaty parties with selfgovernment agreements (referred to in this context as “self-governing Indigenous governments”, or “SGIGs”) and the five modern treaty parties without self-government agreements (referred to as the “M5”). Together, this SGIG/M5 group met with Canada at least monthly over the past year to
continue developing the methodology that will underpin this new stream of lands and resources funding Unlike past inadequate approaches to calculating modern treaty implementation funding, this new approach is based on the actual expenditures that Indigenous governments must incur to fully implement treaty duties and responsibilities
Under the relatively new Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy, released in March 2023, Canada committed to putting in place this next stream of funding by the present fiscal year That commitment was also repeated in Canada’s 2023 Action Plan for implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Unfortunately, that deadline was missed, in part due to the federal election However, with the election of the Carney government, along with these formal written commitments, it is reasonable to expect that these models will be finalized in less than a year from now, with funding flowing annually thereafter under new bilateral financial agreements between Canada and the GTC
The GTC has been an active and vocal part of the SGIG/M5 group throughout the collaborative fiscal policy process This included the GTC Grand Chief speaking to the matter at the annual meeting between modern treaty partners and the Prime Minister in May 2024 Priorities in the months ahead include finalizing the lands and resources methodology and associated new stream of funding, pursuing similar funding for infrastructure, and then moving on to additional streams pertaining to economic development, culture and heritage, as well as community-level treaty bodies (i e DGOs) This work is expected to remain an active and high priority that builds on the significant successes achieved to date
Gwich'in Tribal Council's Request to update Chapters 10 and 11 of the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement
Prepared by Ellen Torng, GTC, Lead Negotiator
Under the leadership of Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr , the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) will be formally petitioning Canada and GNWT to initiate the renegotiation of Chapters 10 (Economic Measures) and 11 (Economic Development) of the GCLCA This request, to be submitted as part of the ongoing RIRSD process, seeks to ensure these chapters accurately reflect the present-day economic realities and aspirations of the Gwich'in The objective is to secure long-term prosperity, economic sustainability, and a renewed commitment from both Canada and the GNWT to advance Indigenous-led economic development prosperity
Modernizing Chapters 10 and 11 is essential to ensuring the GCLCA remains responsive and effective The GTC has identified several key priorities for revision:
Government Accountability – Reinforce and clarify Canada’s and GNWT’s obligations to support Gwich'in economic sustainability
Contemporary Alignment – Adapt the agreement to reflect emerging opportunities in infrastructure, land-based economies, critical minerals, arctic expansion, workforce development, and governance
Sustainable Prosperity – Establish robust mechanisms that enable long-term Gwich'in participation, ownership, and leadership in key economic sectors
The GTC is currently reviewing the original content of Chapters 10 and 11 and developing a comprehensive framework to guide future negotiations Once Canada and GNWT confirms its willingness to revisit these chapters, this framework will detail the proposed amendments and ensure they align with Gwich’in priorities The GTC will present the proposed changes to communities for review and input before finalizing its position
The Gwich’in Tribal Council remains deeply committed to the treaty modernization process In addition to advancing proposals to revise Chapters 10 and 11, the GTC has already achieved several key milestones under the RIRSD process
These advancements are part of a broader, longterm effort to ensure that the GCLCA remains a living treaty capable of adapting to the needs and rights of Gwich'in participants in the face of changing legal, political, and economic conditions
The GTC will continue to update its leadership and participants as the negotiation framework progresses and further community engagement is undertaken
KATE JARVIS
The GTC awarded the work to two contractors to supply and install ten (10) homes each in 2024, allocated as follows:
Inuvik - 9 homes (1x 2-bedroom, 6x 3-bedroom, 2x 3-bedroom plus den)
Teetł’it Zheh - 8 homes (2x 2-bedroom, 4x 3bedroom, 2x 3-bedroom plus den)
Aklavik - 3 homes (2x 2-bedrom, 1x 3-bedroom)
As the homes are modular GTC wanted to give as many opportunities to Gwich’in and local business as possible The Gwich’in Development Corporation completed the trucking, site work and deck/stair construction in Inuvik while local and Gwich’in contractors were used to complete the site work and deck/stair construction in Teetł’it Zheh and Aklavik The two home contractors also hired local labourers, and utilized local accommodations and contractors where possible
Construction of the homes is well underway and Gwich’in participants will begin moving into the units this summer
Land Purc Land Purchase hase
GTC purchased land in each community for the GTC purchased land in each community for the current twenty (20) homes under construction and current twenty (20) homes under construction and some for future construction some for future construction
Tsiigehtchic Tsiigehtchic - GTC purchased four lots from the - GTC purchased four lots from the GNWT A local contractor was hired to clear some GNWT A local contractor was hired clear brush, install geotextile and place a base of gravel, brush, install geotextile and place a base of gravel, this will give the base some time to settle before this will give the base some time to settle before building on the lots begins building on the begins
Aklavik Aklavik – GTC purchased three lots from Ehdiitat – GTC purchased three lots from Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council These lots were cleared and Gwich’in Council These lots were cleared developed for the three homes that will be developed for the three homes that will be constructed in the community constructed in the community
Teetł’it Zheh Teetł’it Zheh – GTC purchased six lots from the – GTC purchased six lots from the hamlet, two privately owned lots, one from the hamlet, two privately owned lots, one from the GNWT GNWT and one from Housing NWT Eight of the lots were and one from Housing NWT Eight of the lots were developed and homes were placed on them developed and homes were placed on them
IInuvik nuvik – GTC originally purchased six lots from the – GTC originally purchased six lots from the Town of Inuvik, one from GDC and one from a private Town of Inuvik, one from GDC and one from a private owner GTC was then the successful bidder in the owner GTC was then the successful bidder in the bulk land sale from the Town of Inuvik for twenty-five land sale from Town of Inuvik for twenty-five lots Nine of the lots were developed and homes lots Nine of the lots were developed and homes were placed on them were placed on them
The GTC developed two programs for the new homes, The GTC developed two programs for the new homes, Rent to Own and Homeownership. GTC hosted Rent to Own and Homeownership GTC hosted community engagement sessions in each community community engagement sessions in each community last summer to get feedback on the programs before last summer to get feedback on the programs before they were finalized GTC took the feedback from the they were finalized GTC took the feedback from the communi communities and the board and completed the ties and the board and completed the programs GTC receive board approval for the programs GTC receive board approval for the programs in December 2024 programs in December 2024
GTC took applications for the homes from October to GTC took applications for the homes from October to November of 2024 and received 104 applications for November of 2024 and received 104 applications for the programs Application review is almost complete, the programs Application review is almost complete, and homes will start being allocated in April/May 2025 and homes will start being allocated in April/May 2025
The GTC completed 215 home assessments for Gwich’in Participants inside and outside of the GSA during the summer and fall of 2024 The assessments were completed to provide GTC with information on what level of home repairs are required and how much funding will be needed to complete these repairs
The GTC has taken the information from the assessments and is currently developing two repair programs We expect them to be ready to go to the board for approval this summer
The GTC has received funding through CIRNAC under the Urban, Rural and Northern fund This fund is to be used to complete repairs for homes inside and outside of the GSA related to health and safety, energy efficiency and accessibility improvements The GTC knows that this funding isn’t sufficient to fully repair all homes, and we are continuing to seek additional funding to further these programs
The upcoming year will be an exciting and busy one for the GTC Department of Housing & Infrastructure
The GTC will be completing the initial twenty (20) homes in the GSA communities and allocating them to Gwich’in Participants The GTC understands the need for more housing, and we are planning phase two of construction.
Home repairs are a big priority for Gwich’in Participants who own their own homes both inside and outside of the GSA, The GTC will finalize the home repair programs and begin to implement them
TONY DEVLIN
2024-2025 was another busy year for the Gwich'in Tribal Council in communications and public relations. With increased staffing in most departments, we saw a surge in programming and community engagement throughout the Gwich'in Settlement Area (GSA), averaging 1 2 GTCassociated events per week per community Requests for communications, promotion and public relations support in turn amplified
We primarily use Facebook for day-to-day communications, using engagement tools such as our primary feed, reels, events and jobs The main GTC page is maintained through Communications and works to standards to leverage reach and quality of posts The main page only posts approved GTC-related materials - and does not act as a generic community message board
In 2024-25, we introduced sub-pages run directly
by GTC departments (Health and Wellness, Language, Culture and Heritage, Education and Training), providing department-specific information and links to relevant professional subject matter Content is approved by Department Managers/Directors and posted by approved staff
GTC also maintains an active LinkedIn page, where we cross-post professional content: jobs, press releases and statements
Our main Facebook page shows very positive growth in reach and engagement with our intended primary and secondary audiences Our full base year for formal analytics is 2023, and for the base uses a comparison to similar organizations to gauge our reach 2024 and 2025 build off our previous data, and show strong yearafter-year growth, particularly with our finite target audience:
Our analytical data shows that over the past year, our main page sees an average of 420,000+ engagements from approximately 75,000 individual users each month, which consistently exceeds our primary audience by 15x We also now have 5 4K+ followers of the page, up from 1 6K in 2022
We launched our new newsmagazine, Ek'italtsi' during the Summer of 2024 and have since published two more editions This high-gloss pictorial magazine is distributed online through our website, social media and on issuu com We are averaging 810 reads per issue in aggregate
Website 2024-25 saw GTC IT and Communications commence work with a developer to facilitate bringing six diverse Gwich'in-related websites under one new umbrella site, with one backend to administer These efficiencies will reconcile available online data on the Gwich'in into a onestop-shop for information, resources, interactives and feedback Launch planned in 2025
We initiated a new podcast series in February In A Good Way features Sharla Greenland interviewing subjects on how they integrate Gwich'in Values into their everyday lives, and how those Values help shape them The pilot episode featuring Chef Steph Baryluk saw over 15K+ plays, and additional episodes are planned
Additionally, the Language department introduced a new Gwich'in-language cooking show, Vaka'a'h' ch'uu, produced through Communications, featuring Elder Alice Vittrekwa sharing her traditional cooking skills with accomplished Gwich'in chef Steph Baryluk
Communications led two capital public relations projects this fiscal year:
We heard from Participants and Dempster travelers that they wanted area signage when entering and travelling in the GSA Working with the Lands department, we identified 11 areas (8 on the Dempster Highway, 1 on the InuvikTuk Highway and 2 on the Aklavik Ice/Water Road) and designed and manufactured highvisibility reflective signs welcoming visitors to the Gwich'in Settlement Area, with reminders to clear access to private Gwich'in lands We installed the signs in the summer of 2024
The main GTC building in Inuvik had inconsistent signage and it was very difficult to identify the office and our community presence from the street The communications team designed, and arranged for manufacture and install, of five custom LED building signs
on the main GTC and at our new Semmler Building annex office - including the largest sign ever put up in Canada's Arctic at 57 feet long The 16-million colour LED main sign was 'turned on' in January 2025, and quickly lit up our dark winter streets and provided a popular visual touchpoint for the Gwich'in in Inuvik
Communications played key roles in promotion, recruitment, logistics, planning and execution of a number of public-facing corporate and community events in 2024-25:
Gwich'in Cup
Arctic Development Expo
We Are United As One Canoe Trip
Gwich'in Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day
GTC Christmas In the City Whitehorse
Mama's Love Book Launch Inuvik
Tetlit Dancers at the PM Forum Ottawa
Chief Julius School Museum Trip Ottawa
Annual General Assembly Aklavik
GTC Communications sits on and works with: Tetlit Gwinjik National Park ProjectCommunications WG
GNWT Bi-Lateral - Communications WG
GOC PM Forum - Communications WG
National Indigenous Peoples Day - WG
Annual General Assembly - WG
Arctic Development Expo - Steering Committee
2024-25 saw record numbers in content production for the GTC and its departments, with 313 Posters designed, 26000+ Photos shot, 17 Short Videos produced, 3 Long Videos produced and over $300,000 of funded promotional materials designed
As we enter the 2nd quarter of the 21st century, modern communications is evolving and has become a critical tool for any front-facing organization with widespread stakeholders such as the GTC AI integration is on the rise and while it can assist with content development, it cannot replace the human and face-to-face interaction, activity and sharing in our special and unique communities Change and threats exist, but holding true to Gwich'in Values centers us all.
WHITNEY ALEXIS & ELLEN TORNG
For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the present report summarizes the Gwich'in Government Department's key accomplishments based on the Gwich'in objectives and our enduring values Despite the suspension of the Gwich'in Government negotiations, the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) continued to support the Gwich'in Government activities to increase self-government awareness and promote participation in the Gwich'in communities In these efforts, this report underlines the following three key accomplishments:
Gwich'in Government activities
Training for the team members, and Departmental employee retention
Equally important is that the GTC is galvanizing efforts with the Designated Gwich'in Organizations (DGOs) to collaborate closely and sustain strong
collaborative relationships Our central focus is to address the present challenges and find collective solutions to resume the self-government negotiations process on a collective communitybased approach with shared commitments and priorities
In the self-government framework, working together to keep the Gwich'in communities informed of the self-government advancement remains one of our top priorities On May 15, 2024, a Meet-and-Greet meeting was held at Ingamo Hall in Inuvik to provide a comprehensive overview and summary of selfgovernment with a specific focus on the seven (7) core jurisdictions: governance, land management, economic development, taxation, financial relations, culture, language and housing We also presented the proposed departmental structure, selfgovernment achievements and challenges During this meeting, we emphasized the importance of making concerted efforts to advance selfgovernment. This must be inclusive of a collaborative, community-based team approach, including the Aklavik, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson communities
Essentially, one of the objectives of the community engagement meeting was to listen to the Gwich'in participants' perspectives and feedback in order to strengthen the Gwich'in Government Agreement and ensure these inputs are captured in the self-government negotiations We also encouraged active interaction so the audience could ask questions and comment on the selfgovernment framework As a result, the Gwich'in participants provided the following commentary for consideration:
The negotiation subject matters meet the Gwich'in Nation's priorities.
Elders and Youth Gwich'in Government workshops are required in the communities Gwich'in Government workshops are required at school, considering that the Youth must be prepared for self-government in the near future
Self-government meetings should include storytelling with Elders to address traditional governance
Gwich'in participants requested regular community engagement meetings across the Gwich'in communities
Gwich'in participants emphasized the importance of increasing collaboration with the DGOs in the self-government negotiations process.
Participants requested quarterly updates about self-government at the Board Meetings Communicate events verbally to the Elders because they are not on social media platforms
Importantly, the subsequent community engagement meetings in Aklavik, Teetł’it Zheh and Tsiigehtchic have been postponed due to the GTC election and caretaker period Alternatively, the GTC focused on building capacity, allowing the Community Engagement Team to undertake courses to strengthen their skills
In January 2023, the GTC hired (2) two field workers and (1) one community advisor located in Inuvik, Teetł’it Zheh and Aklavik to strengthen selfgovernment awareness and better understand the needs and interests of each community for the self-government negotiations framework. One of their duties is conducting door-to-door surveys at the Gwich'in participants' homes in their assigned communities to collect data and information by asking questions and recording responses related to self-government They also conduct phone surveys of the Gwich'in participants who do not reside in their assigned community This initiative aims to involve the Gwich'in participants in the negotiation process and ensure that the Gwich'in Government Agreement reflects the Gwich'in Nation's priorities, aspirations and goals
In the execution of their duties, the Community Engagement Team is often confronted with Gwich'in participants under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the door-to-door interviews. For this purpose, the GTC supported the Community Engagement Team in attending the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Northern Peoples course in Yellowknife from June 12 to June 14, 2024 This course was developed to equip people with the tools required to provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health problem or is experiencing a mental health crisis This training benefited the team by enhancing their professional skills and understanding of mental illness, considering they constantly interact with Gwich'in participants via phone, email, and in person
A key part of our efforts is to retain employees working in the Department of Gwich'in Government despite the suspension of selfgovernment funding The Department of Gwich'in Government comprises a Lead Negotiator, a Regional Self-Government Advisor, two Field Workers, a Communications Advisor, and one Community Advisor Essentially, the Lead Negotiator was hired in June 2024, expecting that the self-government negotiations would recommence in collaboration with the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories
Additionally, the GTC values its employees with their robust experience, expertise, and traditional knowledge. We strive to retain our dedicated and motivated employees for the continuity of the self-government negotiations on a collective community-based approach
In closing, the GTC remains committed to amplify efforts in building a strong Gwich'in Government
in a collaborative process with the Designated Gwich'in Organizations and Indian Act Bands to advance "our common agendaʺ in the light of reconciliation, self-determination and selfreliance. The central focus of the 2024-2025 fiscal year was to increase engagement and participation for self-government negotiations inside and outside the Gwich'in Settlement Area with community engagement meetings The Gwich'in voice is a driver of sustainable progress in the self-government framework because we value the Gwich'in Nation's trust, vision and aspirations to build a prosperous future
For this 2025-2026 fiscal year, our strategy planning focuses on empowering capacity building in the Gwich'in communities within the Gwich'in Settlement Area Community capacity building remains critical in strengthening Indigenous rights, governance, self-determination and self-government awareness. With this intention, a series of community engagement sessions will be planned within the communities in this fiscal year
DIANE BAXTER
The activities for this past year will be summarized under the following headings:
Implementation:
Implementation Plan Review
Implementation Committee
Gwich’in Services: Enrolment
Other Tasks/Events
Implementation
Implementation Plan Review
This section has not changed much since 2019 but I will still include the information for those new to this process or reading this for the first time.
Here are the highlights:
The GTC, Canada, GNWT and Yukon Government (YG) completed most of the review and update of the next 10-year implementation plan in December 2019 This work has been conducted by the multi-party Implementation Plan Working Group (IPWG) with oversight of the GCLCA Implementation Committee (IC), both of which are comprised of representatives from Canada, the GNWT and the GTC
GTC officials’ work was guided by direction from AGA resolutions, informed by input from GTC departments and co-management boards, and overseen by GTC executive and senior officials
In January 2020, the GTC Board of Directors (BOD) passed a resolution approving the full IP in principle, but this approval was subject to two conditions:
1 that the GTC review any further text-level changes that come from parties; and
2.the most important for GTC, is to negotiate with Canada satisfactory implementation funding
With respect to GTC BOD condition (1), the text has been further polished and formatted without significant changes except for two areas: inclusion of new activity sheets to guide parties in implementing the amended Chapter 12 appointments provisions, and soon-to-be developed IP content (in the form of activity sheets and a new appendix) to guide parties in implementing amended Chapter 6 dispute resolution provisions The new dispute resolution sheets are in draft form but parties are still reviewing and providing comments There is also an outstanding need to update IP appendices, including one regarding fiscal arrangements, another with Chapter 6 procedural directions, and possibly another regarding government-to-government communication
With respect to BOD condition (2), funding negotiations with Canada are ongoing through the “M5” process (which includes the GTC, IRC, SSI, Makivik & Naskapi) GTC did sign off on the Institutional Capacity Funding component in March 2023 and funding started as of April 1, 2023 and is the new funding going forward for Institutional Capacity With the M5-specific IC funding finalized, the M5 process has joined
the broader collaborative self-government fiscal policy process (which includes Self-Governing Indigenous Governments - SGIGs) The focus is now on finalizing expenditure need methodologies for additional ongoing, core funding The first batch of these next areas include Land Resources and Treaty Management (LRTM), Infrastructure, and Language Those methodologies were nearly finalized before the 2025 federal election Finalizing them is a formal commitment in the federal government UNDRIP Action Plan and the Collaborative Modern Treaty Implementation Policy (deadline was Spring 2024) From GTC’s perspective, these next methodologies, as well as those beyond, including funding to implement Economic Measures under Chapter 10 and funding for all DGOs, is moving too slowly and needs to be an urgent priority of the new federal government
Committee Meetings held last fiscal year:
April 5, 2024 (Inuvik, NT)
November 27, 2024 (Yellowknife, NT)
Members of the Implementation Committee (IC) are the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC), Government of Canada (GOC), the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Yukon Government (YG)
The Members on behalf of GTC for last year, until the election was called, were:
April 2024 meeting attendees: Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik, Senior Implementation Advisor Diane Baxter and Manager of Government Affairs Maggie Crump November 2024 meeting attendees: Interim Grand Chief Michael Greenland, CEO Jamie Koe, Lead Negotiator Ellen Tourng, Manager of Government Affairs Maggie Crump, Regional Government Advisor Whitney Alexis and Manager of Gwich’in Services Diane Baxter (who attended virtually as I assumed the role of Manager of Gwich’in Services in May 2024).
The functions of the IC are to facilitate and collaborate on implementing the GCLCA, including through the Implementation Plan (IP) The IC operates on a consensus basis Besides the functions described in 28 2 3 of the GCLCA, the IC works to:
make recommendations respecting the implementation of the GCLCA; and pursuant to paragraph 8, determine when obligations have been fulfilled.
With this Annual Report and elsewhere, the GTC underscores that there are outstanding areas of concern, particularly with respect to the Canada’s follow through on Chapter 12 amendments, implementation funding through the collaborative fiscal policy process, Chapter 3 amendments (i e cede, release and surrender), and economic measures under Chapter 10 and in general The GTC acknowledges that these matters have been recently communicated to the Minister and to some extent to the new Prime Minister Urgent action and follow-through is required, and the GTC has requested establishing a joint Executive-level table to make this the priority it needs to be The time for action and follow-through is now, particularly as treaty partners, to collaboratively implement the new federal government’s agenda
