Territorial Premiers Conference

Territorial Premiers Conference

Late last week the three Territorial Premiers met to discuss shared opportunities, health sustainable communities, energy and the environment, education, research and training, tourism and marketing, and circumpolar issues.

These are all issues that Inuit are very concerned with yet neither Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) nor the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) were invited to sit at the table. Indeed, it does not appear that either land claims organization was invited to make representation to the Premiers of the Northwest Territories or Nunavut prior to the meetings.

The time is long past where territorial government leaders meet behind closed doors and discuss significant matters of concern to Inuit without consultation and input from the primary land claims organizations.

As we have said to the federal government on many occassions, we are not willing to sit on the sidelines and have decisions made for us. We want, and deserve, a seat at the territorial table as well.