The Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs works to:
- Provide overall management and direction to the Executive branch of the Government of the Northwest Territories;
- Ensure mutually respectful intergovernmental relations between the territorial government and Aboriginal, provincial, territorial, national and international governments are developed and maintained;
- Negotiate and implement land, resources and self-government agreements that address Aboriginal rights in the Northwest Territories.
The Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs abides by the following principles:
- The interests, desires and aspirations of the residents of the Northwest Territories should be reflected in Government of the Northwest Territories’ legislation, policies, strategic planning, intergovernmental relations, programs, and services.
- Advice provided to Executive Council and its Committees should be objective and timely, with a government-wide perspective.
- Northwest Territories residents should be fully informed of the public business of government.
- Northwest Territories residents deserve demonstrable accountability for the conduct of government.
- Aboriginal people of the Northwest Territories have rights, which should be defined, recognized and protected in a variety of forums.
- The interests of the residents of the Northwest Territories should be best served by a negotiated resolution of Aboriginal rights, including land, resource and self-government agreements, and the political and constitutional development of the Northwest Territories.
- The Government of the Northwest Territories’ relationship with Aboriginal, provincial, territorial, national and international governments should be managed in a coordinated and coherent manner for the benefit of the Northwest Territories’ residents, economy, government and environment.