Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on September 13th, two uniformed officers arrived by helicopter at the Thaidene Nene East Arm National Park. What followed can only be described as a raid, as officers proceeded to enter a cultural camp of 80 people, including LKDFN elders, children, and Indigenous university students and faculty from New Zealand. Under the threat of arrest, they had to stand by while ENR officers searched their dwellings and seized belongings. Elders stated the raid was reminiscent of their youth and the experiences of their ancestors, being persecuted by colonists for practicing their cultural ways and subsistence lifestyle. They felt it flew in the face of the treaty of peace and friendship they signed 122 years ago.
UNDRIP Article 11.1 states Indigenous peoples have the right to practice and revitalize their cultural traditions and customs. This includes the right to maintain, protect and develop the past, present, and future manifestations of their cultures, such as archaeological and historical sites, artifact, designs, ceremonies, technologies, visual and performing arts, and literature. Respecting Indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment.
In fact, Mr. Speaker this is exactly the tenet that our worldrenowned environmental comanagement system is based on. In the NWT, where cultural genocide has led to serious addictions and mental health issues, and in a postpandemic world that sees rising food insecurity and a cost of living, harvesting country food, hunting and spending time on the land is an ideal way for Indigenous people to deal with the stress and combat some of the harsh realities they face daily. However, what was to be a muchneeded time of healing and wellness on September 13th instead became a situation of traumatization and disrespect.
Mr. Speaker, I am not here to comment on the wastage. As the Minister has stated, we don’t know what happened. However, what I do want to comment on was the utter lack of respect shown to the LKDFN, their elders and children not to mention the guests visiting them. What impression did this make regarding Canada and how the GNWT treats Indigenous people?
Mr. Speaker, the Minister states they attempted to contact the band regarding this matter. When? Did the Minister try to mitigate this situation before the officers arrived? Mr. Speaker, if the authorities found something in my neighbourhood, are they going to show up at my door, push their way into my House looking for answers? I don’t think so. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Great Slave. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
