Date
October
17
2006
Members Present
ITEM 1: PRAYER
Assembly Members
Debates of October 17, 2006 (day 9)
Topics
Statements
Member’s Statement On Support For A National Park Of Protected Area In The Tu Nedhe Region
Robert Villeneuve
Tu Nedhe
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided) Mr. Speaker, I just want to say how nice it is to be back and I’m happy to see all my colleagues here back in the Leg and hopefully in good health and good spirits.
---Applause
Mr. Speaker, I’m also glad because last Friday, October 13th, 2006, I was honoured to attend a milestone signing ceremony between the federal government and the Lutselk’e Dene Band in my Tu Nedhe riding of Lutselk’e. The memorandum of understanding was signed at a community feast hosted by the Lutselk’e Dene Band. It was signed by the chief, Adeline Jonasson, of the Lutselk’e Dene Band and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Environment and Canada Parks Agency.
Mr. Speaker, this MOU outlines the commitment and cooperation of both parties to research and study the viability and sustainability of establishing a national park or protected area in the Tu Nedhe region. This proposed park area will be called Thaydene Nene, the land of the ancestors. Mr. Speaker, I call this MOU a milestone for the fact that the Lutselk’e Dene Band has been working diligently on this initiative for the past four decades and I do have to commend the people of the community and the Lutselk’e working group for their perseverance and dedication toward this initiative that is ultimately aimed at protecting the wildlife as what people have relied on for thousands of years, and see this agreement as a very important step towards retaining their strong connection to the land.
Mr. Speaker, I would encourage this government to fully support the residents and the chief and council of the Lutselk’e Dene Band, and northerners, and also all Canadians, to see this initiative develop into a reality so that people from all walks of life have an opportunity to experience and promote our "culture of conservation" and engages more Canadians in shared stewardship, collaboration and partnerships that will strengthen and enhance our rich heritage, our traditional knowledge and ecological integrity in a world that always seems to be focused on development and ultimately the disturbance of our natural habitats. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause