10 ECONOMIC MEASURES

10.1.1
Government economic development programs in the settlement area shall take into account the following objectives:

1. that the traditional Gwich段n economy should be maintained and strengthened; and

2. that the Gwich段n should be economically self-sufficient.

10.1.2
To achieve the objectives in 10.1.1, government shall take such measures as it considers reasonable, in light of its fiscal responsibility and economic objectives, including:

1. support of the traditional Gwich段n economy and individual harvesters and promotion of the marketing of renewable resource products and native manufactured goods;

2. assistance in the development of commercially viable Gwich段n businesses and enterprises, and when necessary, identification of possible sources of fiancial assistance;

3. provision of business and economic training and educational assistance to the Gwich段n so that they may be able to participate more effectively in the northern economy; and

4. encouragement of the employment of Gwich段n in the settlement area, including employment in major projects and developments, in the public service and public agencies. Accordingly, government shall prepare plans for the training and employment of Gwich段n, including the development of measures to recognize the special need of the Gwich段n for pre-employment training in basic skills. Government shall review job qualifications and recruitment procedures to remove inappropriate requirements in respect of cultural factors, experience or education.

10.1.3

1. Where government proposes economic development programs related to the objectives in 10.1.1, government shall consult with the Gwich段n Tribal Council.

2. Government shall meet with the Gwich段n Tribal Council not less than once every three years to review the effectiveness of programs relating to the objectives in 10.1.1.

10.1.4
Where government carries out public activities in the settlement area which give rise to employment or other economic opportunities and government elects to enter into contracts with respect to those activities:

1. the Government of Canada contracting procedures and approaches intended to maximize local and regional employment and business opportunities, including the provision of opportunities for potential contractors to become familiar with bidding systems, or

2. the Government of the Northwest Territories preferential contracting policies, procedures and approaches intended to maximize local, regional and northern employment and business opportunities

shall be followed respectively by Canada or the Government of the Northwest Territories.

10.1.5
The Government of the Northwest Territories shall consult with the Gwich段n Tribal Council when developing modifications to its preferential contracting policies, procedures and approaches.

10.1.6
When the Government of the Northwest Territories intends to carry out activities on settlement lands which give rise to employment or other economic opportunities, and when the Government of the Northwest Territories elects to enter into contracts with respect to those activities without going to public tender, participants shall be given the first opportunity to negotiate such contracts, provided they satisfy all criteria including any qualifications particular to the contract and price. Should negotiations not conclude in a contract or contracts in a timely fashion, the contract or contracts shall go to public tender and Gwich段n shall be permitted to bid on the same basis as other northerners.

10.1.7
The provisions of this chapter are intended to be implemented through programs and policies which are in place from time to time without imposing any additional financial obligation on government.

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