Photo:Ottawa and Nunavut on track for devolution

Bernard Valcourt, the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, speaking in Iqaluit Oct. 3. He named Brian Dominique as chief federal negotiator for devolution and said he hopes Ottawa, Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. can conclude an agreement-in-principle on the devolution of responsibilities for Nunavut’s public lands and resources within one year. Offshore oil and gas matters will be dealt with in a future round of talks, Valcourt said. Premier Peter Taptuna named Simon Awa as Nunavut’s chief negotiator, with deputy negotiators Alex Buchan and Bob Carson. NTI president Cathy Towtongie named Udloriak Hanson as NTI’s chief negotiator. Read more later on nunatsiaqonline.ca. (PHOTO BY JIM BELL)