The Gwich'in Tribal Council

The Gwich’in have traditionally used and occupied lands in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon from time immemorial. In July 1921, Chiefs and headmen representing the Loucheux (as we were then called) of Arctic Red River (now Tsiigehtchic) and Fort McPherson (also known as Teetl'it Zheh) signed Treaty 11 with King George V (the Crown), creating a special nation-to-nation relationship.

Our Objectives

Established in 1992, the Gwich’in Tribal Council (GTC) is an Aboriginal organization that represents Gwich’in Participants in the Mackenzie-Delta of the Northwest Territories and across Canada. The objectives of the GTC are to:

1. protect and preserve the rights, interest and benefits of the Gwich’in in reference to their use, ownership and management of lands, waters, and resources in the Gwich’in Settlement Area;
   
2. retain, preserve and enhance the traditional and cultural values, customs and language of the Gwich’in in a changing society;
   
3. develop and promote economic, social, educational and cultural programs that will enable the Gwich’in to become self-sufficient and full participating members in a global society;
   
4. uphold the rights, interest and benefits of the Gwich’in in reference to the Constitution Act, Treaty 11 and the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement; and
   
5. receive, preserve and enhance the capital and the lands and other benefits transferred to the Gwich’in pursuant to the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement signed on April 22, 1992.

The GTC accomplishes these objectives through various wholly-owned organizations such as the Gwich’in Settlement Corporation, the Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute, and the Gwich’in Development Corporation

Our Vision

We at the Gwich’in Tribal Council will support and promote a culturally vibrant, self sufficient and independent Gwich’in who are environmentally responsible and socially, economically and politically self reliant in a global community.

Our Mission

We will inspire, encourage and build Gwich’in by working together for the good of the Gwich’in; build relationships, create opportunities, and nurture innovative partnerships that result in healthy people and a thriving economy through leadership of respect, integrity, love and sharing.

Board Values

As a governing Board of Directors, we will adhere to following values:

• Respect means a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem
  
• Commitment means to show loyalty, duty or pledge to something or someone
  
• Integrity has to do with perceived consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcomes
  
• Trust - reliance on another person or entity
  
• Accountability refers to being fully accountable for one's actions
  
• Knowledge is the expertise and skills acquired by a person through experience or education