Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) – ​Board of Directors Meeting in Edmonton – June 28 – 29, 2023

Press Release

Vanh Gwiinzii,

I am pleased to provide the following Board Summary regarding the GTC Board of Directors (the ‘Board’) meeting on June 28 – 29, 2023 in Edmonton. In attendance was Grand Chief Ken Kyikavichik, Nihtat President Kelly McLeod (Vice Chair), Ehdiitat President Michael Greenland, Director Danny Greenland (Ehdiitat) and Director Grace Martin (Tetlit).

The following items were presented, discussed and/or voted on by the Board:

• Abe Wilson was suspended as a Director of the Gwich’in Tribal Council representing the Tetlit Gwich’in Council pursuant to Article 9.12 of GTC By-Law #1
• The proposal prepared by the Tetlit Gwich’in Council and Teetl’it Gwich’in Band Council for the GTC dated June 28, 2023 was reviewed and discussed. The plan was rejected by the Board. Furthermore, the Grand Chief has been tasked to engage the Tetlit Gwich’in Council regarding the $2.5 million Negotiations Loan Repayment allocation to discuss the spirit and intent approved at the 2022 GTC AGA as it differs from the plan presented.
• An update of the Rat River Development Corporation Lease and Term Loans was provided by GTC Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Jim Sand. The GTC and CFO will work with the financial institution on a remedy and the CFO and Grand Chief will prepare a summary communication for distribution to the community of Teetł’it Zheh. Furthermore, the Grand Chief and the CFO will attend the 2023 Community Assembly for Teetł’it Zheh to communicate and convey the financial situation that has unfolded regarding the Rat River Development Corporation.
• Approved nominations for Kevin Koe on the Gwich’in Settlement Corporation and Herbert Andre the Porcupine Caribou Management Board as GTC representatives.
• Approved revisions to the Director Code of Conduct for the GTC Board of Directors.

Presentations

• GTC Language Department (Michelle Wright) – a presentation on the development of the GTC Language Department, funding requirements and future plans.

Next Board Meeting

The next regular GTC Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2023 and will be held in conjunction with a Nation vision building exercise in Inuvik on October 4 & 5, 2023.

Mahsi!

Ken Kyikavichik
Grand Chief

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