Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Democracy means many things to many different people. Democracy is certainly a form of government where people rule through their elected MLAs. The people are the absolute and supreme form of political authority. As we, as legislators, from time to time vote on behalf of our people, such as the budget process or the motions brought up in this Assembly, we are the people’s voice. We were put here by the very fact that we will represent our people in these legislative halls of government.

We stand today on new ground with the old ways of doing things. We achieved a new...

Mr. Speaker, I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on March 14, 2013, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, May 29, 2013;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to May 29, 2013, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I say, because, again, in my research, there were regulations, a management regime, and in the time when they were making the deal, Aboriginal people didn’t even have the right to vote in Canada. These were all being done on Aboriginal lands that we’re supposed to have a treaty. Now we’re taking over devolution, and part of taking over devolution is the 24 acts, regulations and legislation that we’re going to take over. One of them is the Canadian Petroleum Act, I think, and I want to make sure that we are set and the federal government is not going to interfere with...

I’ve done some of my own research and I found a very interesting document that in 1944, July 21st, Imperial Oil and the Government of Canada struck up a management/ownership type of deal with the Norman Wells oilfields and that they’ve been taking a cut in the share of that development fuel since then; even longer.

I want to ask if the Government of Canada is changing the rules as time goes on and because they’re so adamant not to release that definition under what is stated in the research I have that Norman Wells is looked at resource revenue rather than the ownership. Is the Minister looking...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize the two Colville Lake Pages, Chantell Orlias and Lecy Gully. Both are here this week.

I’d also like to, along with my colleague Mr. Abernethy, recognize the YK ship crew from Vancouver. I appreciate the tour there.

Also some former high school students, Debbie Greenland; of course, Mr. McLeod’s wife, Judy, and the mental health worker from Tulita, Elaine. Also a good friend of mine, Peter Redvers.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the Proposal to Emergency Preparedness Plan: A Community Plan for the People of Tulita.

The community of Tulita and the people in the Sahtu, even government departments came and said, what can we do within these couple of hours we have. The hamlet did a fantastic job. The government showed up with resources. They allowed their people to come and help us. That’s the right thing to do in the small communities.

I want to ask the Minister, with regard to the emergency search and rescue funding, can the Minister bring forward a type of initial discussion paper to see how we can fund these emergency search and rescue efforts in our communities?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A terrible tragedy affected Tulita this past summer. As many may be aware, this past June a young woman named Nicole Horassi went missing. Nicole’s remains were discovered by a search and rescue volunteer the following month. On Friday, July 13th, Nicole’s body was found floating in the Mackenzie River.

Nicole’s death was heartbreaking for everyone that knew her. Nicole was a beautiful, bright young woman that died far too young. Nicole’s passing showed us that tragedy can, and does, strike at any moment. In many instances it happens suddenly, without any warning.

I’m...

Madam Chair, I wasn’t too involved with committee on this bill and my first question to the Minister would be on the Aboriginal rights, I guess, in these areas. I know there’s some discussion in some of the parks that we are establishing in the Sahtu and I know the fire restriction has to do with safety and precaution. People, when we go out on to the land, we like to make our fire and have some tea or whatever and sometimes these areas that we are protecting are used for public enjoyment. So I’m not too sure what provisions there are or how it’s being looked at in regard to having some of the...

Just a few comments, Madam Chair. Congratulations to the Minister and the team, and to the Tlicho. It’s quite something when you work it out on a government-to-government relationship, especially with the Tlicho people on a new path to governments in the Northwest Territories. Now, seeing this, would this also be similar to Deline, once they finish their community self-government. Would this type of process also be undertaken?