NR 05-20B BER ENG Conciliator Announced.doc

(May 26, 2005 – Ottawa, Ontario) – Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. President Paul Kaludjak, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minster of State for Northern Development, and Premier of Nunavut, Paul Okalik, today announced the appointment of former Supreme Court of B.C. Justice Thomas Berger as Conciliator for the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Implementation Contract negotiations.

Mr. Berger, through his dual professional life in law and in the conduct of public inquiries, has fundamentally enhanced the concept and viability of self-government for Aboriginal Canadians since the 1960s. He served as justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia from 1973 to 1983. During that time, Mr. Berger headed many inquiries, including the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry. Mr. Berger also served as legal counsel on the Calder Case in 1973, which started the Canadian movement toward Aboriginal entitlement and land claims.

We are honoured that Mr. Berger agreed to take on the role of Conciliator. He is known nationally and internationally for the work he has done with Aboriginal people. I am confident he will help us resolve this impasse and work with integrity to ensure that Inuit in Nunavut soon begin to fully enjoy the benefits included in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, said NTI President Paul Kaludjak. “Realizing the goals and objectives of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, particularly in regard to the provision of education and training for Beneficiaries, is a priority for this government. We welcome the appointment of Mr. Berger and look forward to his impartial assistance in helping all parties to the NLCA realize the Agreement’s spirit and intent to benefit Nunavummiut and all Canadians,” said Premier Paul Okalik.

I am pleased that Mr. Berger has agreed to assist the parties in moving forward, said Minister of State Blondin-Andrew. Mr. Berger’s reputation speaks for itself. I have every confidence that his considerable knowledge and experience in Aboriginal rights and issues will build positive and durable relationships among the parties.
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The conciliator will assist the parties in resolving outstanding issues related to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Implementation Contract negotiations, while improving and better defining long-term relationships among the parties. The conciliator will also make written recommendations to the parties as to the steps to be taken to address the relationship and to move forward to update the Contract.

When the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was signed in 1993, the Implementation Contract was also signed. This Contract guides implementation of the NLCA and sets out how much money the Government of Canada will provide to cover the costs of implementing the Agreement.

In addition, the Contract sets out a schedule of activities for ten-year periods to implement the NLCA. The first planning period, 1993 to 2003, expired on July 9, 2003.