Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to go to item 7, recognition of visitors in the gallery, on the orders. Thank you.

---Unanimous consent granted.

Does the Minister plan to meet with the Yellowknives or any of the impacted First Nations’ groups in the near future, today or tomorrow or the weekends coming, like, as soon as possible? Because this is a very controversial issue and impacts not only those First Nations but the precedent that it sets for all First Nations across our Territory. Thank you.

I’d just like to reiterate the point one more time is that when aboriginal groups meet, they want to see the...[English not provided]...they want to see the boss, the Ministers, and I’d like to get the Premier’s commitment that they will evaluate the next Dene Nation Leadership Meeting or any aboriginal leadership meeting and give them that importance and that value and that respect.

Thank you very much. But the fact remains that no Ministers were in attendance, and for me personally it kind of gauges the importance that our Cabinet gives the Dene National Assembly. So I’m just not clear. I know that we make time for other aboriginal organizations, even cancelling meetings and having an excuse that they need months of planning, it’s just not appropriate there, Mr. Speaker.

Once again, given the importance of the matters being discussed at the Dene National Leadership in Fort Simpson, I don’t know why there was only one department that sent officials. We’ve got to pay more...

This was an opportunity to engage each other on this very important issue. In the future I hope that the GNWT Cabinet members give due respect and attend Dene national leadership meetings and give equal weight to all aboriginal government meetings. Mahsi cho.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to report to the Assembly that the Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed Bill 2, Forgiveness of Debts Act, 2009-2010, and the committee wishes to report that Bill 2 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. Thank you.

Thank you very much. I still don’t believe that timing is the issue, but I think the issue for myself and the people at the Dene National Leadership Meeting in Fort Simpson was government’s inattention to the needs and the issues that were on the floor. The other thing, too, is how much time does government spend paying attention to other aboriginal organizations, which is an issue as well. I believe that we’re a consensus style government and that we must pay attention to all aboriginal organizations and governments, and that’s the question I’d like to ask the Premier. How much time do they...

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just want to follow up on my Member’s statement. The Dene Nation Leadership Meeting was held last week in Fort Simpson and government was informed. It was easy to guess and see that the temporary ban on hunting of the Bathurst caribou herd would be discussed. In any event, our government has always committed itself to give value to our aboriginal organizations and government. There was attendance by senior staff of ENR, which was some comfort, but none from Cabinet. If anything, the Premier, who is also the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Speaker, and...

[English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, last week I was proud to be the hosting MLA at the Dene Nation Leadership Meeting in Fort Simpson. This was the first meeting of the year, in which they are celebrating 40 years of presence in the North, of which I once again extend my congratulations.

---Applause

Given the importance of this event and emerging treaty rights issues with the GNWT temporary hunting ban on the Bathurst caribou herd, I was very dismayed that our Cabinet did not send one ministerial representative to this meeting. Invitations went out to the Premier, the Minister of...

I just want to reiterate that it’s still a priority of the residents of Fort Simpson. There’s a new mayor and council and they would like to press that issue forward. I think part of the strategy of what we heard in Fort Simpson, Mr. Speaker, was there’s got to be federal involvement. Has his department contacted any federal departments with regard to this issue? Thank you.