Voting in a referendum, a community of the Sahtu people in Canada's Northwest Territories has ratified an agreement on self-government with Canada that will handle law-making powers and responsibility over language, culture, social services, education, spirituality and taxes to a newly established Deline Got'ine Government (DGG). Thus, the Deline community (one of four composing the Sahtu people) will have its own Constitution, president, executive and legislative council, and court. The agreement has been ratified by 449 of 699 members wih right to vote, i.e. 64.5%.

According to Deline chief negotiator Danny Gaudet, the agreement results from an 18-year negotiation with the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories. So far, several indigenous bodies handled some of the powers that will now be taken over by the DGG. In addition to that, the DGG will be devolved fresh new powers, including the ability to legislate on local matters (including education) and Aboriginal affairs. Responsibility over implementation of Canada and NorthWest Territories programs and services will also be transferred. In short, Gaudet said the Deline will now enjoy "the most extensive indigenous self-government in Canada".

According to the chief negotiator, autonomy will be funded from three main sources: Canadian federal funds, Northwest Territories funds, and own funds, given that the deal will grant the DGG ability to raise its own taxes. Self-government will be a "combined public system with Aboriginal component", which also means that non-Aboriginals living in Deline will also be subject to the new devolved government.

Another goal of the agreement is to increase transparency and accountability of indigenous bodies of self-government. Thus, the DGG will include the establishment of assembly which will meet once a year. In that assembly, the government will need to explain governmental policies, and citizens will be able to supervise them.

Indigenous language given official status

The DGG Constitution provides that both English and Deline's native North Slavey language will be given official status for government purposes. All citizens will have the right to communicate with government institutions in any of the two​.

In fact, North Slavey has had official recognition by the Northwest Territories Government since 1988, along with English and other nine indigenous languages ​​spoken there.

Th Sahtu people lives in Great Bear Lake region (click on the map to enlarge it), and is organized into four groups: Deline, Behdzi Ahda, Begade Shotagotine, and K'sasho Go'tine.

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