Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Chair. If a member of the public was looking at this document they would see that, despite how many times I’ve been raising Highway No. 7 in this Legislature, over the years there is no contribution here. If the Minister can explain that, and I’ll certainly be looking for a response with regard to that. Why is it not on this document and what’s the attention this government is going to give Highway No. 7?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, I believe that we can continue to do it. We’ve got the power in this House. With devolution, we’re growing up, and I believe that we can find a way. I’ve indicated in my Member’s statement about how much I value Mr. Premier’s negotiating abilities, and I believe that he can find a way around it.

I guess one of the barriers for those additional 7,000 square kilometres is about the precept or the concept that your population base is based on figures from 30 years ago. I would like to ask the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, can he revisit that or find a...

Certainly, the three parties have invested over 30 years of hard negotiating time. I was getting at that I think the GNWT is taking a more important role. In fact, Mr. Premier met with the Dehcho leadership around two weeks ago, and they left that meeting somewhat disheartened. They thought they were there to speak with the Premier at that time that we hosted the meeting and find some more common ground. They want to complete the negotiations and fulfill their aspirations for self-government.

I’d like to ask the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs once again, how much weight does the GNWT have in...

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to support the Dehcho First Nations’ aspirations for a settled claim and a fair and reasonable deal. The talks have indeed stalled and I hope not staled. There must be a way to sit down and find common ground once again.

Our government, Canada and the Dehcho First Nations has spent over 30 years of hard work on negotiations. It will be a shame not to evaluate the situation and to find a political solution.

Our Premier is an excellent negotiator and strong administrator. He will be remembered as the Premier that brought devolution home. I hope he can use...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased they are moving forward and beginning the dialogue. I think if they can go further and identify some office space they need for the future, that will go a long way in firming up that project. As well, I think I asked about the RFP on the Fort Simpson Health Centre planning study, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to recognize the hearts of my life, Ms. Lucyanne Kendo and Miss Brittany Jewel visiting us here in the gallery today. I’m glad to see you here, watching me at work and all my colleagues. Mahsi.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I am just going to touch on a few things I raised in the past couple of weeks. One was the delivery of fuel to the small communities. One Member may have asked, but have the tenders gone out and is the fuel being delivered as we speak? Is the purchase as anticipated? Hopefully that means the communities will get cheaper fuel for the upcoming year.

As well, I was wondering about the RFP for the Fort Simpson Health Centre planning study. I was wondering about progress on that front. Generally, I raised in the House about Nogha Enterprises building a new office...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I think today there was an outstanding shout out for women on International Women’s Day by my colleagues here and I, too, share the recognition, but my shout out today is to express my thanks to social workers for all the hard work they do in our communities.

While I have chosen to say thank you during National Social Work Month, their work is really appreciated in Nahendeh communities all year round. The reality is that our social workers are on the front lines of changing history for the better. Many of the problems they help people with stem from residential...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Stanton Territorial Hospital Renewal Project must include a wellness centre that beats for the hearts of all Aboriginal people and culture. Our territorial hospital, when renovated, has to incorporate the Aboriginal identity that over 50 percent of our population has. “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come,” said Victor Hugo, the famous writer. I believe it’s true in this case.

Colonialism and, consequently, the residential school system for Aboriginal peoples in Canada has resulted in the loss of...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am really pleased to hear the progress that has happened to date. I believe the Legislative Assembly has to have the political will. As I said, it’s an idea whose time has come and I believe that we have to throw our full support behind this and our resources. I know they are looking for some resources to do a planning study.

In government we have other departments that certainly support Aboriginal culture, such as ECE and ITI, that have no problem supporting businesses that want to do a business plan. I believe we can take a consolidated approach using all of our...