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Who We Are

The Gwich’in Land and Water Board is a regulatory authority established under the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement and given effect by the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act to provide for an integrated and coordinated system of land management in the Mackenzie Valley of the Northwest Territories.

The object of the Board is to provide for conservation, development, and utilization of the land and water resources in the Gwich’in settlement area in a manner that will provide the optimum benefit for present and future residents of the settlement area and the Mackenzie Valley and for all Canadians.

The Act authorizes the Board to regulate the use of land and water by issuing, amending, renewing, and suspending land use permits and water licences throughout the Gwich’in Settlement Area, which includes all crown, Gwich’in, and any other private lands.

The Board consists of five members, including the Chair. Two members are nominated by the Gwich’in Tribal Council, one member is nominated by the Government of the Northwest Territories and another by the Government of Canada. The four members nominate the Chair and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada then appoints all nominees to the Board for a term of three years.

Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board

The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) is a regulatory authority that originates from Part 4 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA). The roles and responsibilities of the MVLWB include:

  • Reviewing and making decisions on transboundary projects;
  • Ensuring consistent application of the MVRMA up and down the Mackenzie Valley; and,
  • Reviewing and making decisions on applications filed in the regions where land claims have not been settled.

The MVLWB meets at least once per year. The Section 103 Panel meets regularly to make decisions respecting applications in the regions where land claims have not been settled or for transboundary applications.

The MVLWB consists of:

  • The MVLWB Chairperson, nominated by the majority of the members and appointed by the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC);
  • Five members of the Sahtu Land and Water Board;
  • Five members of the Gwich’in Land and Water Board;
  • Five members of the Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board; and,
  • Four members appointed pursuant to Section 99 of the MVRMA.

All members are appointed by the Minister of INAC, except for the Tłı̨chǫ nominees to the WLWB, who are appointed by the Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG). All members appointed are members of the MVLWB.

 

MVLWB Thumnail

Tanya MacIntosh - Chair

Lesley Allen - Canada

Debbie Watsyk - Dehcho First Nations

Cathie Bolstad - Akaitcho Territory Government

 

 

GLWB Logo

Elizabeth Wright - Chair

Roger Fraser – GTC

Deanna Smith – GTC

William Koe – GNWT

 

SLWB Logo

Philippe di Pizzo – GNWT

Violet Doolittle – Canada

Gina Dolphus - SSI

 

WLWB Logo

Mason Mantla – Chair 

Mike Nitsiza – GNWT

Rachel Crapeau – Canada

Alex Nitsiza – TG

Jocelyn Zoe – TG

 

The MVLWB is supported by a Chairs Committee, an Executive Directors Committee, and staff from the MVLWB Yellowknife office and from the offices of the Regional Boards, as required. The offices of the GLWB, SLWB, and WLWB are located in Inuvik, Fort Good Hope, and Wekweètì respectively. The WLWB has a second office in Yellowknife.

Updated: 21/01/2022