Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I'm going to talk about the vital role of Indigenous governments. Mr. Speaker, in November when Members delivered round table speeches, the Premier said something. He said that we need to recognize in 50 years the territory will look much different than it does today. He also said that since Indigenous governments are taking on more responsibilities, there is a greater need to work closely with them to ensure that any new legislation, programs, policies are developed in a manner that is comfortable for Indigenous governments so they can at some point take on those additional responsibilities to administer themselves.
Mr. Speaker, that vision by the Premier is something that all Dene, Inuit, and Metis people have been envisioning for themselves for the last 50 years, or going back as further as 150 years since Europeans colonized this country.
Mr. Speaker, as an Indigenous person and people, deciding our own destiny and being selfsufficient and economically selfreliant on our own lands are all things that Indigenous people have strived to achieve for generations. Dating back to 1969 when the Indian Brotherhood of the NWT was formed, it was always the intention of Indigenous people across the NWT to take on governance responsibilities for ourselves. That includes developing legislation, programs, and policies to administer ourselves on areas of settled land claims, settlement agreements, and treaty lands.
Mr. Speaker, that vision outlines new from that vision, numerous documents were presented were published. For example, by Dene Nation, over the last 50 years or 50 years ago they publish a book, a Public Government for the People of the North with a discussion paper. That was for that document in 1981 was not only
Member from Monfwi, your time is up.
Unanimous consent granted
(audio) still. Okay, much of what was written in that document was later used as the basis for selfgovernment and other land claims negotiations.
Mr. Speaker, the days of Indigenous government being controlled by settlers or newcomers or nonIndigenous politicians in Yellowknife or Ottawa are over. My way or the MacKenzie Highway or no deal has to stop. What we need is a collaborations to work with Indigenous people to move forward. Thank you.
Members' statements. Member for Deh Cho.
