Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Going back to the Prime Fur Bonus Program, it provides funds based on successful market performance and provides an incentive to deliver high quality, well-handled fur pelts for sale. A Prime Fur Bonus is paid when the value of a fur sold at auction meets or exceeds the value of the advance. Lastly, the Hide and Fur Procurement Program supports traditional crafts, provides local artisans prime NWT harvested hides to produce high-quality traditional furs. The Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program continues to provide an income for the world-renowned hunters and trappers...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to commend Mr. Moses on the function today, on anti-bullying. Today I'll talk about the Northwest Territories fur industry. Furs marketed under the Government of Northwest Territories Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program fur label have shown strong returns to NWT trappers over the last three years. Northwest Territories wolverine, Arctic, cross and red fox furs have sold out at international auctions. At the most recent season opening sale of wild fur held in North Bay, Ontario, 93 and 96 per cent of Arctic fox and black bear furs were sold. Wolf...

That last comment is leading to my next question. In my region harvesting seals is important both feed and a source of cash income. What is Industry, Tourism and Investment doing to maximize returns to harvesters?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier on in my statement the questions for Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. My first question is to the Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment. can you please outline the types of support that are available to trappers under the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thanks to both Members from Yellowknife for their comments. In my region there are mineral claim stakes that are outstanding and so we negotiate fair agreements with exploration companies. I believe that what we have in place is sound, and I also believe that moving ahead with negotiations for other sites, I think we have a good system in place that will still be effective in negotiating impact and benefit agreements and other agreements with exploration companies.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I think we need to keep in mind with all of this here going on, that there are other Aboriginal governments of the Northwest Territories that we have to consider when looking at mineral claim stakes, oil and gas developments. I’m kind of leery about the wording of this as it may scare away business opportunities in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My question is: is there a plan to expand the training to other interested groups?

Quyanainniini, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like to recognize Mr. Darrell Beaulieu. I remember when they started Det'on Cho Diamonds; I was a diamond polisher there. Welcome, Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In a sense, I agree with the Member for Frame Lake, but then again we spoke earlier on this as well too and I had mentioned that the Member may be carrying baggage from five or 10 years down the road so we need to look forward, making sure that we're okay and not making decisions from the past today. Thank you, Mr. Chair.