The special committee was established on November 16, 2000, during the Third Session. The terms of reference for the special committee were presented and adopted by the Legislative Assembly on March 7, 2001. This Assembly's vision, as outlined in Towards a Better Tomorrow, served as a foundation for the terms of reference. Members of the special committee committed themselves to the following principles in carrying out our mandate:
- the development of a system of governance with leaders working together cooperatively that recognizes and protects the rights of all residents, balancing individual citizen's rights and collective aboriginal rights;
- to promote aboriginal and other northern leaders working together in support of a common vision and strong sense of identity to ensure a strong foundation for a better future for all residents;
- recognizes that aboriginal and public governments have unique, necessary and complementary roles to play in serving people of the Territories;
- that aboriginal people must have greater self-determination over their social, cultural, economic and political destiny; and
- the need for strong, effective aboriginal and public governments operating cooperatively.