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The federal government will provide up to $1 million to the Constitutional Development Steering Committee for the creation of a constitution and government structure for the new western territory.
The committee will define and guide the process to ensure an efficient and effective structure of government is in place when the Northwest Territories divide in 1999.
A further $500,000 in funding and support in kind will be provided for the process by the GNWT.
"Given the current fiscal climate, this represents a significant investment in the future of the territory and its people and will help the CDSC meet its goal of a consensus on a central, effective and affordable territorial government," said Indian Affairs and Northern development Minister Ron Irwin.
He said he anticipates a cohesive fit between the CDSC process, inherent right discussions, structure of self-government and other treaty and claims discussions taking place throughout the western N.W.T.
The process will see CDSC host community workshops and conferences and the information garnered will be worked into a document for ratification by the residents of the western N.W.T. Federal representatives will act as observers.
The CDSC, formed in 1992, is comprised of Aboriginal leaders, members of
the Legislative Assembly's Western Caucus, tax-based municipalities and women's organizations. It is chaired by Inuvik MLA Fred Koe.
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