Cournoyea: Inuvialuit self-government won't leave anyone out

Self-government for the Inuvialuit Settlement Region would not exclude non-Inuvialuit, according to the chair and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

"I think that's a misunderstanding of self-government," said Nellie Cournoyea.

The IRC is getting ready to sign a self-government agreement in principle this year. The agreement that should be signed this summer will require the approval of the approximately 3,500 voting members.

That vote should take place a year after the agreement in principle is signed. 

The Inuvialuit hope that self-government means they can better administer mental health services, like detox centres for people suffering from addictions. 

"We'll probably be taking on things like that. We'd probably lead the charge on that," Cournoyea said. "But I cannot think that people would not want to help join in and participate. You know, for the betterment of everybody. We always wanted it to be that way, but the Gwich'in wanted to address theirs individually."

Separate agreements

The Inuvialuit have tried to work with the Gwich'in to negotiate self-government in the past. Cournoyea said both groups tried several collaborative governance initiatives, such as the creation of the Western Arctic Regional Municipality that was modelled after Alaska's North Slope Borough Council.

"I think government sort of scared them [the Gwich'in] off," Cournoyea said. "Because the bands would have to be restructured, and they weren't ready to do that." 

The Gwich'in are also working on their own self-government agreement, which will be presented to their membership at the annual general meeting in Aklavik. The meeting begins September 15.