Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There has been a lot of progress in terms of selfdetermination of First Nations communities, ensuring they have responsibility for their citizens, and housing is one aspect of that. Could the Minister provide an overview to this side of the House in terms of how it's working with First Nations communities that aspire to have selfgovernment agreements with the Government of Canada and what its role is?

I'd like to thank the Minister for saying that, and perhaps, you know, the issue's not as simple as that. For example, in terms of jurisdictions, you know, sometimes because of jurisdictions we get caught up in red tape. Sometimes the fact is that we have to board up homes because of jurisdictional messes between governments and First Nations communities. Recently, there has been steps in terms of trying to sort out the jurisdictions, the red tape, to try to bring housing to citizens that need it, particularly on the Hay River Reserve. Could the Minister update this House in terms of ensuring...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Me too, I’d like to recognize several people in the gallery. The official Languages Commissioner; revitalization board; Jonas Landry, Emma Amundson, they work on the Aboriginal languages; and Violet Jumbo. She’s working on the revitalization program. I’d like to recognize them for the hard work that they’re doing. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just maybe my final point or question is what's next in terms of the department working along with the communities and the proponent to ensure that, you know, there's a timeliness and at the same time successful stage in terms of ensuring the reality of the wood pellet plant being in operation? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to get a status report. I know we're on the cusp of enhancing the biomass industry by establishing an industry activity in the South Slave area. I just wanted to see if the Minister could provide us an update in terms of the progress towards establishing a wood pellet plant, in terms of his role in assisting communities to advance that proposed business initiative and how communities have been involved this far. Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's sometimes almost like a puzzle in terms of ensuring the immediate needs and critical needs of people are met. That's the obligation of this government that we have in terms of taking over responsibility from the federal government and ensuring that communities and families do receive houses. In terms of working with First Nations, you know… Some aspire to ensure that homeownership is a critical need, and that's their focus, but sometimes public housing, you know, people would rent their houses for a long time and not really perhaps aspire to own their own homes...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my statement, I talked about treaty rights and obligations that are encumbered by the federal government and also the GNWT. My question is to the Minister of the Housing Corporation. Treaties of NWT are by nature bilateral between First Nations and the Government of Canada, and on the south of 60, we have a direct relationship between the federal government and First Nations in their communities in terms of their responsibilities to their citizens. Up here in the North, we have federal transfer payments that are received by the government...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the majority of my constituents are First Nations, signatories to Treaty 8 and 11 with the Government of Canada in 1899 and 1921. In those treaties, promises were made to continue existing unhindered and of cultural pursuits, and with the most treaties, there were certain promises that were made including education, health, and housing just to name a few. Those promises are what we call today fiduciary obligations for program and services for housing. This is a brief historical perspective.

[English translation not provided.]

Our people were nomadic, they...

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources plans to introduce new forest management legislation during the life of this Assembly. How is ITI involved in this important work in terms of using our forest resources industry?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. As I stated earlier this afternoon, my constituents are concerned with the lack of information on this year's harvest from ITI. How does the department plan to engage with the communities to help manage the activity in the Deh Cho this year regarding the mushroom harvest? Mahsi.