Latest news with #KellyMcLeod
CBC
02-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Gwich'in Tribal Council member concerned over lack of remote option at Inuvik meeting
The president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council in Inuvik, N.W.T., is expressing concern over the Gwich'in Tribal Council's decision not to let people participate remotely in its most recent board meeting. The meeting was held Wednesday and Thursday in Inuvik. Kelly McLeod said the date of the meeting was already postponed multiple times from March to May. He booked a personal trip during the end of May. When he found out the proposed dates of the meeting, he requested virtual attendance, over phone or video call. He said his requests went unanswered by some members of the board, while others said they were in favour of the remote call-in. It's the latest issue contributing to a tense relationship between Gwich'in Tribal Council Grand Chief Frederick Blake Jr. and some of the community councils whose presidents sit on the board. McLeod said participants under the Gwich'in land claim were previously invited to attend board meetings virtually and could log in and view the meetings as they happened. This was also not allowed this past meeting. "It's never been an issue in the past. The previous board highly encouraged virtual participation, participation by members in the south — like we have had a number of participants log onto the links available and watch the meetings," said McLeod. When asked why virtual participation was denied this meeting, Blake said council members decide for each meeting whether they want people to be able to remotely participate. "The last couple meetings, board members had concerns about virtual [attendance] because they wanted everybody to be together in one place. You know it's challenging times, as you can imagine, the board is in. That's what they want to do, I believe, is build a stronger team," said Blake. McLeod says he wanted to attend the meeting to address some issues he has with the council regarding governance, finance and leadership. He said he is concerned that the council is only following bylaws when it's suitable for them. "You need to follow the bylaws and the policy and, more importantly, Gwich'in law, which is our Gwich'in value system. Excluding myself, I have seen an uproar of participants asking to attend virtually and they have been denied," said McLeod.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Gwich'in council leaders say Town of Inuvik excluding them from community decisions
The president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council in Inuvik, N.W.T., said he wants to see more effort from the Town of Inuvik when it comes to including the Gwich'in leadership in decision making in the community. Inuvik lies in the Gwich'in Settlement Area and the Nihtat Gwich'in Council is part of the Gwich'in Tribal Council. Kelly McLeod, president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council, said he has concerns with the way the municipality lays out its community plan and zoning. He said because Inuvik is in Gwich'in territory, his council should have more involvement in the town planning process. "We've been dealing with a number of important issues and over the past few months it's escalated — and we hope the Town of Inuvik changes its position on these matters," said McLeod. "Inuvik is a very diverse and multicultural community. It is a shared community, but we are rights-holders, we're not just stakeholders." McLeod says the Town of Inuvik has not been properly respecting the rights of Gwich'in. 'Negative energy never does anything,' mayor says Inuvik Mayor Peter Clarkson said he wants to improve communication with McLeod and the Nihtat Gwich'in Council, saying he wishes it "wasn't so negative." "Negative energy never does anything for a community. We need to come together and work together as an entire community and that's where everyone comes together and works as an equal partner," said Clarkson. In December, the town launched a new initiative to bring stakeholders in the community together to inform each other of what is happening. The Inuvik Leadership Council group started meeting in December 2024 and is composed of town representatives, local Indigenous governments, and MLAs. Clarkson said all levels of Indigenous and non-Indigenous leadership get input into the community. Nihtat is part of the Inuvik Leadership Council and McLeod has attended a couple of its meetings since it was launched in December. But he also wants more clarity about roles and responsibilities before Nihtat signs on to the group's memorandum of agreement. The mayor sent a letter on behalf of the town to Nihtat on Thursday, saying Nihtat's position was "disappointing." Clarkson also suggests that Nihtat leaders had misunderstood the purpose and nature of the Inuvik Leadership Council, which he said is about "sharing information and working together on common issues or concerns and supporting each other." McLeod says the issue is about reconciliation. "With respect to reconciliation, it's not just a word — it's a commitment. We are more than happy to sit at the tables and have the tough discussions we need to have," he said.
