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Nihtat, native band will merge to form self-government

As the Inuvik Native Band stakes a larger presence in the community following its election earlier this year, and a newly finished building between Northmart and the Children First Centre, the organization also looks to a future involved in self-government talks with the Nihtat Gwichin Council.

Well over 100 people came through the Inuvik Native Bands doors to tour the groups new building Friday, Sept. 22. From left to right are Sheila OKane, Miki OKane, Fred Carmichael, Randy Firth and Jozef Carnogursky in conversation with Lesa Semmler.
Stewart Burnett/窪蹋勛圖厙 photo

I consider ourselves as partners, said Jozef Carnogursky, president of the NGC. Although we are two separate and distinct organizations, I think probably 99 per cent of the members are the same. Moving forward in self-government, the plan is to combine the two and in the end well have one government.

Inuvik Native Band Chief Lawrence Neyando confirmed that plan.

The two groups serve a similar purpose, with Nihtat representing Gwichin in Inuvik and the Inuvik Native Band representing native status holders in town.

The NGC has already expressed its desire to pursue its own self-government agreement for Inuvik, separate from the Gwichin Tribal Council. At the GTCs 2017 annual general assembly, a direction was put forth to gather the communities to talk about plans for self-government, but that meeting has not yet taken place. Carnogursky confirmed that his direction comes from his membership, which has expressed the desire for Inuviks own self-government agreement.

Any negotiations on the self-government agreement in Inuvik will be a jointly negotiated agreement between Nihtat Gwichin Council and the Inuvik Native Band, said Carnogursky. We wont go without the other. Thats what weve agreed to and if ones not ready then we wait. Were doing it together and thats just the way its going to go.

That future might still be some time away, depending on how slowly these negotiations proceed. For now, Neyando is excited about the bands new life in its new building, which the Inuvik Interagency Committee sold to the band for $1.

Mondays game on, he said at the open house Friday, Sept. 22.

Were open for business to work with other organizations and members of our community, not only for our members but for the community and to work with everybody.

Beyond a receptionist, band manager and finance officer, the band is looking to hire a program officer. Neyando is still taking feedback for what kind of programs his membership might want. Ideally, hed like to serve both youth and elders at the same time, while not stepping on the toes of any other organizations in town.

After a summer full of work to get the building ready, hes excited about the future of the Inuvik Native Band.

Im getting awesome feedback from the community, said Neyando, plus donations from individuals and businesses.

Were not slowing down. Were just going to keep going forward.

He thanked community members for their support.

There are a number of people that have been giving me advice and I take it all to heart, added Neyando. Im very grateful for everything thats happened so far.