Intergovernmental Meeting between Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Government of the Northwest Territories

Press Release

YELLOWKNIFE, NT (May 7, 2026) – Chairperson Charles McNeely (Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated), President Sherry Hodgson (Tłegohłı̨̀Got’ı nę Government), President Joseph Tobac (Yamoga Land Corporation), President Clarence Campbell (Tulita Land Corporation), President Arnold Gaudet (Fort Norman Métis Community), President David Codzi (Ayoni Keh Land Corporation), Ɂek’wahtıdǝ́Danny Gaudet (Délınę Got’ı nę Government), Chief

Richard Kochon (Behdzi Ahda First Nation) and Chief Shawn Grandjambe (Fort Good Hope Dene Band) met with Premier R.J. Simpson, Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister Lucy Kuptana, Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister Vince McKay and Minister Lesa Semmler on April 29, 2026 in Yellowknife.

The meeting focused on continuing to share information and perspectives between the two governments, particularly on;

⦁ improving access to health services in the Sahtu Region and strengthening medical travel coordination;

⦁ early learning and child care programs and funding;

⦁ planning in support of skills, training, and employment opportunities for the Sahtu Region;

⦁ working together to support Norman Wells through the transition following the Imperial Oil closure;

⦁ working collaboratively to complete key engagement, governance and technical work required to continue to progress the Mackenzie Valley Highway project and ensure federal support and funding is secured for construction; and

⦁ engaging the federal government to see if there is available support for the drug detection dog screening initiative in airports to help combat the toxic drug crisis.

The Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding between the Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated and the Government of the Northwest Territories was renewed for a five-year term.

Quick Facts

⦁ The Intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding recognizes the importance of the government-to-government relationship between the SSI and the GNWT.
o The agreement commits the governments to meet once per year.

o The agreement was first signed in June 2015 for a five-year period and has been renewed in January 2021 for another five-year term expiring in 2026.

For more information, contact:

EIA_FINComms@gov.nt.ca

Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Public Affairs and Communications Government of the Northwest Territories

David Little
Executive Director
Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated
867-589-4719

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