Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I’ve on occasion made statements regarding the Dehcho Process. I support the Dehcho Process mainly because I’m from the Deh Cho and I’d like to see it succeed, and at some point it will have a settled agreement between the Dehcho First Nations, Canada and the GNWT. Some people might be familiar that the negotiations have, in one perspective, advanced since 1921. There are people that believe negotiations just started recently. But what is important is that there used to be a spirit of being flexible and open, at the same time respecting the differences of, perhaps, governments and First Nations people, but with the intent and spirit of trying to be creative and trying to look at some unique models.
My question is to the Premier. There is the federal offer of land quantum, plus the GNWT as well have a different perspective on it. But my question is simple: Why is our government currently offering the Dehcho First Nations less land than Canada is willing to offer, by at least 2,000 square kilometres?
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m glad the Member asked me the question so that I could present the facts so that he can provide the correct information when he talks to his people.
We’ve been working for over two years to find a way to resolve some long-standing land issues with the Dehcho First Nations. We created a working group of senior officials where we spent over two years where we did come up with an agreement on how we could move forward. Those were rejected out of hand by the Dehcho First Nations leadership. I might add that the Government of the Northwest Territories increased the offer substantially that was made by Canada in 2007. That was rejected out of hand by the Dehcho First Nations.
Why, in the Premier’s opinion, shouldn’t the Deh Cho land quantum be at least equal to the Tlicho’s adjustment for population?
The GNWT offer and what’s been negotiated in negotiations with the Dehcho First Nations is the most favourable ever made in the Northwest Territories, if not Canada.
It’s pretty clear that the Premier in his opening statement said that my people are from the Deh Cho. The Premier is from Fort Providence. The Premier is a Metis from Fort Providence. He has an opportunity to help advance the Dehcho Dene and Metis of Fort Providence and the Dehcho First Nations to come to an agreement. At the same time, I think this negotiation is sliding perilously into positional negotiations for both sides to become more entrenched and no movement will happen and people will walk away. I don’t want to see that. I’m sure the Premier does not want to see that as well. The question is: What happens after February 20th? Why would the Premier threaten to leave negotiations with the Dehcho First Nations if they cannot agree with the GNWT’s current position? Is that the path of trust and respect?
I’m glad for the opportunity to clarify statements attributed to me. We have not threatened to walk away. All we raise is the fact that despite all these best offers to the Dehcho First Nations, they’re all rejected out of hand, and so we should take that into consideration going forward.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Nadli.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just an observation from being part of leadership and negotiations for some time. When two leaders meet, what happens is that there is a spirit and intent, and that’s the spirit of the treaties that have been negotiated for a long time, and it’s based on honesty and integrity. When two leaders meet, they make a pact and an understanding, and when they walk away they ask their staff to implement it, and sometimes the staff or the department doesn’t believe in those decisions, and I think that’s the problem.
Will the Premier revisit his government’s strategy with a view to making headway instead of causing a breakdown of negotiations?
I would be glad to hear any suggestions from the Member. This is the best offer that’s ever been made and it’s been rejected, so we will continue to work through the land claims table.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
