Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The sessional statement that the Premier read this afternoon was a fine inventory of the accomplishments of the 15th Assembly so far. I am proud of these accomplishments, too, Mr. Speaker, but I think at this very critical point in the Northwest Territories development I want to say that I am frustrated that the truly essential goals that we need as a people and territory, resource revenue sharing, territorial formula financing and devolution continue to elude us. These are achievements, Mr. Speaker, that are long overdue as millions of dollars in resource taxation and royalties will not enter the communities and the programs of this government and the communities and aboriginal governments, but flow entirely into Ottawa’s coffers.

Mr. Speaker, in his statement, the Premier told us that the number one priority is pursuing a new territorial financing agreement with Ottawa. He said we are pleased with the commitment of the Prime Minister and Finance Minister Flaherty to move forward. On devolution and resource revenue sharing, the Premier says we are optimistic and an agreement-in-principle with the federal government and aboriginal governments can be achieved in the life of this Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, in July, the Prime Minister visited us in the hall just next door to us here and said some pretty impressive things. He said it is time we begin to hear the call of the new North, a North that is stronger, more prosperous and liberated from the paternalistic policies of the past. That is why I am here today, he said, Mr. Speaker, to begin championing your cause in Ottawa and across Canada, because I believe now at last the North’s time has arrived.

Mr. Speaker, the message cannot be overstated that northerners expect no less than what the Prime Minister told us, but we have heard for years and decades the same lofty goals, commitments and optimism of politicians everywhere. It is time, Mr. Speaker, for us all to go beyond the speechifying and the rhetoric. It is time for results. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Member’s Statement On Devolution And Resource Revenue Sharing Negotiations

Norman Yakeleya

Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the words of the Premier’s opening sessional statement, the next six to 12 months will be critical in determining whether we are successful in negotiating a fair deal with Canada. Mr. Speaker, we, as northerners, here in our communities, where is the beef? We have all of the resources, yet we are beggars in our own land.

Mr. Speaker, my constituency asked for critical, essential, basic services to happen in the Sahtu and other small communities; nurses who need to stay in our communities, youth centres need to be built, youth programs need to be run, taking care of our elders, providing them with some basic care services for our own people, housing, having policing services like in Colville Lake and Sachs Harbour having the basic security services in our communities, proper infrastructure building, proper roads and bridges. We need some proper buildings in our communities, Mr. Speaker. My Christmas list can go on and on. However, Halloween is coming and I am scared of the boogey man in Ottawa who continues to scare us off with the tricks or treats of goodies.

Mr. Speaker, going back to the quote by our Premier, the next six to 12 months will be very critical for the people in the Northwest Territories. We need some time to gather all of the leaders down the Mackenzie Valley, the municipal and aboriginal leaders, land claim leaders, and we need to focus on some areas to get Ottawa’s attention. The best way we need to do and show our people is to start acting our words. We have to put an action plan together, Mr. Speaker. We, as northerners, need to act. When we say to Ottawa, get your hands out of our pocket, as that commercial says on the TV, when will Ottawa cut the cord and let us make our own decisions? In closing, it has been said that to get to the Promised Land, you have to negotiate yourself out of the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Mr. Speaker, when will we, as northerners, stand up and say enough is enough? This is our land and we are calling right now. Thank you.

---Applause