May 22, 2009

Dear Na Cho Nyak Dun Citizens

Chief and Council would like to thank you for your support as we continue to work for you as government leaders. We were pleased to add three Councillors in October 2008, Brian Moses, Roxanne McGinty and Rose Lemiuex.  The General Assembly is scheduled for June 26-28th, 2009 in Mayo at the Lands grounds and we look forward to seeing you all there.

It has been a busy year since the last GA much of which has been taken up with internal re-organization and dealing with the management of the financial difficulties related to the Government House and service building construction as well as the new houses in C-6 which we assumed from previous Councils. 

We did secure a loan to complete the construction of the government house for a sum of $4.6 million from the First Nation bank and have entered into an arrangement to repay that.  This is, and will continue, to put strain on the resources of the First Nation.  In order for everyone to be aware of what we will be facing with the delivery of programs and services in the coming years, we will be sending you a package about the finances associated with the infrastructure expenditures within the next several weeks.

This June GA has some exciting events happening, of particular interest is the presence in Mayo of our family and neighbors from Fort Good Hope and Fort McPherson. This rekindling of relationships as part of the trans boundary discussions this year has been very exciting and included visits between the communities and an overland skidoo trip through our traditional territories.  All three communities will be coming together during the GA week this year.

We also look forward to Premier Fentie joining us for the signing of an intergovernmental accord which will allow our two governments to work together specifically on the delivery of social services and other joint initiatives.

We also invite you to attend the Aboriginal Day celebrations at the Old Village scheduled for June 21st which follows on the heels of the Arts in the Park and the Mayo Midnight Marathon on June 20th.  Canada day celebrations will take place jointly with the Village of Mayo on July 1st and NND will be hosting the steak dinner that evening.

In this advance package we have enclosed information for your review that reflects the work of Chief and Council this year.  We respectfully enclose:

- The NND Strategic Plan and Capacity Assessment Plan which were both commitments of our Council to work on bettering government services.  We are please that all staff were involved in the development of these plans and we have begun to implement some of the recommendations.
- The work of the Constitution Committee and the Elections Committee as per the resolutions from the 2008 GA.
- The Capital Plan update
- The Administrative Tribunal update
- The 2009-10 budget as approved by Chief and Council (as per the 2006 Finance Act)
- The NND Investment Trust Deed of Settlement proposed Amendments

We receive a number of statements on issues from citizens throughout the year and we try to respond to each of these individually.  On the larger issues we are working hard to work on policies that reflect the mandate given to us by our Constitution.  We have been through a lot as a people, residential school, lands claims and now we are a self governing First Nation developing our own government. 

This Council is striving for Unity not only for ourselves but for our future generations. We are very aware of the challenges that face us with bringing our young people into the government and making Na Cho Nyak Dun a healthy vibrant First Nation.  We anticipate that the steps we are taking with YG and other governments in capacity development will help us to move forward, even as sometimes we tend to look back.

We understand that people need good safe housing, education, social assistance, treatment and that many of the requests we receive revolve around these stated needs.  We are doing our very best within the resources we have, and new ones we are seeking, to serve the people wherever they may be.

Please join us at the GA to celebrate where we have been, where we are and where we are going as a Nation.

If you normally do not attend GA’s this is a special invitation to you to “come home” to be with family and visit old friends and participate in the process of developing our government.  It will also be an opportunity to meet your ancestral people.

Sincerely,

Chief and Council

The following documents are part of the Annual General Assembly package which was hand delivered or mailed out on May 22, 2009.

Election Act

NND Constitution

Amendment notes

Capacity Development Plan

Capacity Development Plan Final Report

Investment Trust Summary Amendments v3

Investment Trust Proposed Amendments v4

Administrative Tribunal Update May 2009

NNDFN Sustainability Plan