In 1997, the Government of the Northwest Territories established a government-wide Traditional Knowledge Policy, currently referred to as Traditional Knowledge Policy 53.03. According to this Policy: The Government recognizes that Aboriginal traditional knowledge is a valid and essential source of information about the natural environment and its resources, the use of natural resources, and the relationship of people to the land and to each other, and will incorporate traditional knowledge into government decisions and actions where approproate. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has two distinct and significant obligations under the Traditional Knowledge Policy that do not necessarily apply to other departments. The first is to coordinate government-wide traditional knowledge initiatives that have been approved by the Executive Council. The second is to ensure traditional knowledge about the natural environment is taken into consideration in all environmental management actions and decisions of the government. GNWT Traditional Knowledge Policy Implementation Framework ENR Traditional Knowledge Implementation Plan