Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I was in Fort Providence, the home community of Premier McLeod. My question is to Premier McLeod. It was a proud day in Fort Providence. Everyone was there, but, sadly, there were no GNWT senior officials. Can the Premier explain: what was the GNWT's role in establishing the Edehzhie as a protected area? Mahsi.
Masi. The Honourable Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The reason we weren't there is we received an invitation two days before the event, and we were already scheduled to be in session. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
There was an initial schedule signed back in September, and parties, of course, that were involved, you know, sought clarity, and one of them was the GNWT. Can the Premier explain or update the territorial position on the subsurface withdrawal for Edehzhie?
We have been in discussions with the Dehcho First Nations with regards to the subsurface of Edehzhie. We see it as a package arrangement. We are not prepared to oneoff individual sectors of the Dehcho process. We had put forward a significant offer where Edehzhie was part of it, and we have yet to receive a response to that offer.
I understand that the Dehcho leadership will be holding leadership meetings at some point in October to determine where they want to go with regards to the Dehcho process.
Yesterday evening, it meant a lot for the Federal Government of Canada to be there and Dehcho First Nations officials, as well, and it was a big, exciting event.
One of the steps that needs to happen to fulfill the future of our protected area and advance it through the federal process is transferring Edehzhie to the federal government. Could the Minister or the Premier explain in terms of how that process might work out?
There was never an intention to transfer the subsurface of the Edehzhie back to the federal government. The discussions that we have been having is that it would be controlled in the Northwest Territories by the Aboriginal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories through an agreement that would be established through the Dehcho process.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Deh Cho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My last question is: going forward, what actions will the GNWT take in the remainder of this Assembly, the 18th Assembly -- some might say that the 18th Assembly is already over -- but take to advance conservation and land protection initiatives like Edehzhie? Mahsi.
We have been in discussions with the Dehcho Grand Chief on several occasions. She has indicated to us that they are still doing work in this area, and we are very optimistic that they will come back with a positive response so that we can move forward and hopefully bring these negotiations to a conclusion before the end of this Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
