Michael Nadli

In light of the negotiations that are currently going on, or in terms of some of the outstanding regions that still have to get to the table, the observations from parties has been the land claim policy, which could be perhaps problematic from the parties' perspectives, it depends on what side of the table you are on, but basically the land claims model that the federal Government of Canada is upholding is based on the United States' model, which basically was following the first achievement of a land claim agreement with First Nation people in Alaska then. My question is, in the eyes of the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking at the UN Permanent forum on Indigenous Issues, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett announced, "We are now a full supporter of the declaration, without qualification. We intend nothing less than to adopt and implement the declaration in accordance with the Canadian Constitution." Bennett described the Declaration as "breathing life into Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution and recognizing it as a full box of rights for Indigenous Peoples in Canada."

Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged by the words of Minister Bennett. I believe that this...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. No further questions.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the eventuality that, at some point, the ideal state has been reached where all regions have settled their land claims and self-government arrangements, would it be within the scope of possibility that this government presides over a framework of development and pillars to ensure that an understanding of the evolution of the NWT could become a matter of the discussions towards constitutional development? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to make a couple of comments, especially in regard to land claim and selfgovernment negotiations.

At the beginning of the 18th Assembly, it was very strongly stated that we needed to put extra efforts in terms of concluded land claim agreements and selfgovernment arrangements, especially with the regions that have outstanding matters that have yet to be resolved, whether it's in the realm of sovereignty jurisdiction or ownership on land rights and resources. That has been ongoing for some time, so I am encouraged to hear those words, and, yet, I remain curious as...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, in this respect, in terms of the parties that have signed on to the devolution agreement, and as a step forward, this government has engaged in agreements called cooperation agreements, what is the spirit and intent of those agreements. As an example, I understand the GNWT signed a cooperation agreement with the K'atlodeeche First Nations. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to understand from the Minister in terms of the long-term vision of the intergovernmental council. I understand, since signing the devolution agreement, Aboriginal groups have been engaged in terms of trying to work cooperatively with this government. I just wanted to also understand: what is the long-term intention of this group? Mahsi.

We had a tragic accident happen on the K'atlodeeche reserve, and I wanted to say thank you to everyone who pulled together in a short period of time to bring the family back home. With the amounts of donations accepted from communities such as Yellowknife, Fort Providence, Kakisa, Enterprise, Hay River, Fort Smith, and Fort Resolution and so on, they were able to furnish a whole house plus more for the Buggins and Chambaud family.

Mr. Speaker, the response of compassion and support and donations for the family speaks volumes of the true northern spirit. The family are back home on the Hay River...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to provide some general comments affecting this department, and I just wanted to highlight some points that I have just noted.

One of them, of course, is my interest in terms of the move from the protected areas initiative towards, kind of, morphing the initiative into another, called conservation area networks. My understanding is that there are some key advances that have been made at the community level in terms of identifying and designating conservation area networks. Communities remain interested in terms of how that will play a part in terms of setting...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.] I just wanted to acknowledge the presence of Jim Antoine, former chief, MLA, Minister, and Premier of the GNWT. Mahsi.