Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today in my Member’s statement I spoke about the recent Elders Parliament and the recommendation made by the elders to delay the implementation of the proposed changes to the public housing rent scale that will affect all seniors throughout the Northwest Territories. I kind of wondered about that. One of the things that some elders have raised with me is they’ve been living in the same house for many decades and I kind of wondered how this perhaps could affect them.

My question to the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation is that the Minister...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this month elders from across the territory gathered in this Chamber for the second ever Elders Parliament. The Deh Cho riding was well represented by Mrs. Georgina Fabian from the K’atlodeeche First Nation Reserve. I especially would like to thank Mrs. Fabian for her participation, as well as all the elders who came from all over the Northwest Territories to make the Parliament a success.

The topics discussed by the elders included the proposed changes to the public housing rent scales, the need for an elders ombudsman, and care and respect for elders.

The elders...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is just to perhaps explore options. As I indicated, elders have been living in homes for many years. They’ve raised their families and have paid rent for many years and they face an increase. I wonder if the Minister could tell me if there are options out there for elders to take over ownership of the houses where in some cases they have been paying rent for decades.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to recognize the community of Enterprise for being distinguished with the Energy Action Award from the Arctic Energy Alliance. The Hamlet of Enterprise receives its water by trucked delivery from Hay River. To save money and energy, the community decided to reduce its water use. Community members and businesses exchanged their top-load washers for energy-efficient ones, Energy Star front-loading washers, replaced toilets with low-flow toilets, replaced shower heads and taps with low-flow models. Qualifying members received Energy Efficiency and Incentive...

As negotiations unfold and as the public kind of observes this process, at some point it is inevitable that conflict will arise. I want to ask the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs if there are mechanisms in terms of arbitration or mediation that perhaps this government will consider as this progress towards a final agreement progresses. At some point perhaps there could be an anticipated juncture where conflicts will arise.

Is the Minister and the negotiations team aware or even considered, perhaps, where there could be mediated measures or arbitrated measures to ensure that the progress is made...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Devolution is the process of taking over responsibility for managing lands and resources. Devolution has been going on for more than 200 years, so it’s important to know the history.

Most of the devolution had Britain and then Canada taking over resources from Aboriginal peoples. It has been done subject to the Royal Proclamation of 1763, the Rupert’s Land Act in 1868, Treaty 8 in 1899, Treaty 11 in 1921, and into modern times.

Treaty 11 is seen by the Dene as a peace and friendship treaty with the Crown, but the treaty was spurred by the discovery of oil and gas in Norman...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I like the term “common interest.” At some point, I know there’s progress, and negotiation is an agreement-in-principle and it’s non-binding on the parties. I wanted to ask the Minister if at some point, with the two parties at the table – and of course, with the interests of the GNWT to treat the whole Northwest Territories as one main body – has there been discussions with the groups in terms, perhaps, principle agreement to the concept of a central government working with the regional government and how those governments will be sustained through resource revenue...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask several questions to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. As you all know, the GNWT and the Sahtu have signed on to the Devolution Agreement. I understand that three out of at least seven or eight groups have come on board. I just wanted to ask the Minister if he can provide us, this House, an update as to the progress or the next steps of the devolution negotiations. Mahsi.

[English translation not provided.]

In terms of this motion, Mr. Speaker, I speak in favour and support it. As Dene, we are an oral society. We have legends, stories and histories that go back thousands of years. In some respects our elders play a very prominent role in educating our people in terms of the youngsters and youth in our communities. For some time it’s been concerning me that government has a policy they call the Official Languages Act, but I believe more needs to be done. At the same time I also acknowledge that it can’t only just be government, but equally so it has to be parents...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Here in this session, like my colleagues, I have supported the interim supplementary appropriations. Of particular significance was my support to the Inuvik to Tuk highway. While I realize that in the absence of industry activity in those areas of the North to create jobs and opportunity, the GNWT has an overall responsibility to serve the needs and interests of all Northerners.

I, too, would like to take an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, just to acknowledge the Wise Women Award for my community, Margaret Vandell, or Auntie Margaret, as we all know her. Margaret has been...