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INAC’s overall responsibility is to balance the need for development of the North’s economic potential with the need to protect and preserve the environment. As a result, INAC is the lead agency for many of the Government of Canada’s roles in the North, including sovereignty, economic and social development, environmental and land management and improving northern governance (i.e. land claims, self-government and devolution).
In the NWT, INAC’s regional office is in Yellowknife. INAC areas of activity relevant to community governments include:
• Aboriginal and Territorial Relations – this unit is involved in the negotiation and implementation of land, resource and governance agreements. Other duties include NWT political development, intergovernmental matters and resource management board relations.
• Board Relations Secretariat – this unit helps implement land claim agreements and supports working relationships and partnerships with the NWT’s various resource management boards.
• Contaminants and Remediation – this unit is responsible for managing contaminated sites in the NWT. Activities undertaken include monitoring, care and maintenance and remediation (clean-up of a contaminated site). More than 25 contaminated sites are currently being managed through different stages of remediation.
• Indian and Inuit Services – this unit is responsible for supporting First Nation and Inuit organizations in their efforts to obtain control and accountability for the delivery of programs and services in their communities.
• Mineral and Petroleum Resources – this unit administers mineral and oil and gas resources in the NWT and promotes environmentally sustainable resource development. It monitors activity levels in these sectors and provides advice and guidance on various matters to industry, Aboriginal organizations, communities and other levels of government.
• Renewable Resources and Environment – this unit manages the delivery of environmental programs, implements environmental management measures and operates an environmental laboratory. It also has federal responsibility for water resources (onshore and offshore) and conducts water quality studies.
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