Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize Chief Eddie Sangris. Also, at the same time, Sam Gargan, a constituent of mine from Fort Providence, and also, I did recognize him as a professor, I recognize him as an elder, of course, a former Speaker from the Assembly, so I'd like to recognize him. And plus, from the Dechinta University, Catherine Lafferty. Marci.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Today, I want to speak on my biological mother, the Late Monique Sabourin of Fort Providence, in honour of International Women's Day.

Monique Sabourin (nee Lefoin) was an elder featured in the book Nahecho Keh, which was written in the 1980s. Here are her words of experiences: [English translation not provided].

Mr. Speaker, my mother had TB, and I was born at the Charles Camsell Hospital in Edmonton. I was adopted to another family as a child. I was blessed to have had the experience of having two sets of parents in my life. I want to thank my biological mother, the late...

One role that I understand that the Minister takes quite seriously is public safety. My next question is: what is the Department of Infrastructure's assessment of the safety of the Hay River Reserve access road?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Dare I say it, Mr. Speaker? It seems that spring is coming to our land. The sun is back, and we will soon see melt water at the ends of the ice crossing between the town of Hay River and the reserve. The people of the K'atlodeeche First Nation love the spring, but the closing of the ice crossing over the Hay River is very inconvenient for them. Unfortunately, people will soon be dodging the pockmarks and potholes that riddle the chip seal of the all-season access road linking the reserve to the highway and into Hay River. Last fall, the access road was at its worst...

Just recently, the Minister had indicated that there were some funding commitments from the federal government in terms of the transportation corridor. I want to understand: what barriers, if any, stand in the way of getting this work done?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister of Infrastructure. Just in a couple of days, thousands of people will be in Hay River, and a lot of them will be travelling to the Hay River Reserve, via the smooth and cool natural ice road, but of course, right now, spring is coming. People will be converging in Hay River. The whole world will be watching. No pressure to the Minister, but what is the status of plans to repair and resurface the access road to the K'atlodeeche First Nations community at Hay River? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for clarifying a few things. My last question is: what steps has the Minister or his department taken to resolve this matter with the Government of Canada and their obligations to the K'atlodeeche First Nations? Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, I think there are a few elders that would be more likely categorized in a very stressful situation where their bills have piled up to the point where they're more likely pondering the idea, if they're aware of the option, of bankruptcy. Could the Minister and his department consider an interim arrangement? How long would it take for the Minister to remedy this injustice?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister of Lands. As people might be aware in this House, the very fundamental questions on the ownership and jurisdictions in the sovereignty of the Deh Cho hands is being negotiated. My question is to the Minister of Lands. Why is the government requiring Dene elders to lease the land they live on, now designated as Commissioner's lands? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Minister of Lands. Will the Minister come to Deh Cho communities to speak with our elders and leaders to explain his position on this and what is he doing about it? Mahsi.