Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I read a statement on the K’atlodeeche First Nation Reserve, so my question is to the Premier. Can the Premier update the House on the current status of the KFN negotiations with Canada and the GNWT? Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The honourable Premier, Mr. McLeod.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My understanding is we are waiting for the KFN to decide which process they will want to follow, whether it’s a comprehensive claim process or the treaty land entitlement process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I’d like to thank the Premier for giving me an update on the KFN. What is the GNWT doing to ensure the federal government maintains its fiduciary obligation on the delivery of programs and services to the K’atlodeeche First Nation? Mahsi.
Thank you. We’ve had several meetings with the leadership of the K’atlodeeche First Nation, with the chief and several council members where we provided information on our understanding on how the reserve, because Hay River is a reserve, how that works. Certainly, as a government we’re committed to providing services just like any other community in the Northwest Territories, recognizing that the K’atlodeeche First Nations have a very special treaty relationship with the Government of Canada and we’re prepared to assist in whatever way we can. Thank you.
Thank you. The GNWT prides itself in providing trail breaking leadership in the advancement of treaty and Aboriginal rights, and rightly so. I think this Legislature has a legacy of leaders that have blazed a trail in forging public government, First Nations and treaty rights movements.
Can the Premier agree, at this point, to being…and you can be exploring the idea of supporting the establishment of a framework for programs and services in terms of its funding and delivery. For example, on housing. I recently had a constituency meeting on the reserve and a constituent made the point that perhaps the reserve is coming to a housing crisis. In the meantime, negotiations are still going forward. So would the Premier agree to immediately establish a framework in terms of delivery of programs and services? Mahsi.
Thank you. We’re still investigating certain areas and we have two reserves in the Northwest Territories. One is Salt River and the other one is in Hay River. They’re two different considerations because of the fact that in 1975, when the Hay River Reserve was established, there were some considerations that were negotiated which were different from the Salt River First Nations. But we’d be prepared to meet and work with the K’atlodeeche First Nation to clarify those areas of responsibility. Thank you.
Thank you. I’d like to thank the Premier for making the suggestion of a meeting with the chief and council. My question is in terms of the GNWT’s policy in dealing with First Nations and recognizing the reserve has a unique treaty relationship with the federal government on a band-level basis. However, from time to time, from negotiations at different levels, the GNWT takes a fairly different position and takes on the trilateral position with the GNWT, the federal government and the First Nations.
How would the GNWT ensure it follows consistent policy in dealing with the K’atlodeeche First Nation? Mahsi.
Thank you. As I indicated, our deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs met with the chief of the K’atlodeeche First Nation and because we have two different reserves and we’re dealing with both of them differently, we want to make sure we’re very clear in what our responsibilities are, and we will continue to work with them to clarify what those responsibilities are. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
