The Deline Got’ine Government (DGG) represents a major achievement for the people of Deline. It is both the first community-based Indigenous self-government and the first combined Indigenous/public government in the Northwest Territories. A combined Indigenous/public government is one that is Treaty-based with self-governing authorities, and also represents and serves all residents of the communit
y. The DGG will also be Canada’s first combined Indigenous/public community self-government. Since 1995, Deline Elders have had a vision of one organization with responsibility for governing the community, and that has the funding and powers to make decisions and deliver programs in a way that makes sense for Deline. On September 1, 2016, that vision became a reality as the Deline First Nation, Deline Land Corporation and Charter Community of Deline were combined into one government. The DGG assumed the authorities, programs and services of these three organizations, along with self-government authorities. The community now has one government with one set of rules. It also has the ability to take on new self-government powers and responsibilities. With these changes, the Deline Got’ine Government has important tools to support and serve the people of Deline—including all Deline land claim beneficiaries and Deline First Nation Citizens—particularly in preserving their culture, language, spiritual practices and land-based way of life.
