J. Michael Miltenberger
Minister
Environment and Natural Resources
May 11, 2012
Reality of Co-management with Aboriginal Governments
in the NWT: Environmental Stewardship in the 21st Century
Political Reality
in the Northwest Territories• Consensus government – based on traditional
Aboriginal governance• Land claims and self-government agreements• Management authorities• Co-management in unsettled areas
Role of Public Government
• Represent interests of all residents
• Work with Aboriginal governments
• Co-management boards
• Regulatory system
Aboriginal Engagement
• Comprehensive approach to decision-making• Importance to environmental stewardship• Changes to federal environmental review
process• GNWT Aboriginal Engagement Policy
Co-operative Management
• Shared responsibility• Species at Risk (NWT) Act
– Conference of Management Authorities
• Proposed new Wildlife Act
NWT Water Stewardship Strategy
• Multi-party approach• Further refinement of collaborative process• Aboriginal Steering Committee• Blueprint for environmental stewardship
Challenges
• Competing interests – at all levels• Time required to build trust and partnerships• Resource heavy• Determining best methods to proceed
Opportunities
• Common understanding • Access to best scientific, traditional and local
knowledge• Support for environmental stewardship at
community level• Increase local awareness and involvement in
monitoring and research• Ability to leverage other partnerships and
funding
On-going Efforts• Increase partnerships with:
– academic institutions – environmental organizations– industry
• Increase training opportunities for NWT residents
• Northern control over management of land and water resources.