Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will speak about the devolution agreement and the impact on my people and our land claim. Mr. Speaker, the Premier and the federal government signed this AIP without the majority of the Aboriginal governments. How did we justify this action? Yet the Premier has said, come be a partner in building our future together. How can the Premier say come to the table when only after you signed?
Mr. Speaker, I believe the signing of this agreement was rushed. For reasons unknown to me -- I can only speculate -- the AIP was signed without 75 percent of the Aboriginal governments on their land. Mr. Speaker, the Gwich’in, the Sahtu, Dehcho, Tlicho and Akaitcho, both treaties were not signatories to this non-binding agreement. Isn’t it our responsibility as a government to bring everyone to the table? Mr. Speaker, to date we only have the IRC that have signed and indications that one Metis group will sign. We wish them well.
Mr. Speaker, the Premier has said he wants to bring people into the tent. First, we need to help him put up a tent and Lord knows how my people are known for their tent setting abilities. Maybe we should listen to them and ask them what is needed for a sound structure.
Mr. Speaker, this devolution agreement will certainly alter our settled and unsettled land claim agreements. Is this an indication as to why the majority of Aboriginal governments are not in the tent with us? Do we not want our people to be involved in this historical deal? The stakes are higher; higher than any other agreements that I have witnessed to date in the North. We’re not all in this together. What a shame.
Mr. Speaker, our relationships with the Aboriginal governments are now being called into question. Now, Mr. Speaker, I want to reference Section 22.1.6 of the Sahtu Land Claim Agreement. It states the Government of the Northwest Territories shall involve us in developing an implementation of any agreements which transfer jurisdictions over minerals of Canada to the Government of the Northwest Territories. The AIP called for big changes in our homeland; control over our lands and waters and resources is to be transferred to the GNWT. Our entire resource management structure is now up for discussion. How can the GNWT and Canada continue on this road without the support of the majority of the Aboriginal governments? The people of the Northwest Territories...
Mr. Yakeleya, your time for your Member’s statement has expired. Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
Mr. Speaker, mahsi cho. Evolution before devolution is the biggest concern of Nahendeh residents at this time. I’m getting many phone calls and concerns from constituents. I guess, firstly, as myself and all Nahendeh constituents will be part of the Dehcho process, how exactly will it impact the Dehcho people and those living there? There is still no clarity as the distinction and difference between the agreement-in-principle on devolution of lands and resources and the actual devolution final agreement.
I read, with great interest, in this week’s News/North the editorial: Territorial and Aboriginal governments represent the same people. I think that’s exactly what our Aboriginal governments and people are saying, so it is proper to say that. They say why is our concern to stop the signing of the AIP on devolution not recognized? The wisdom of our elders and the Aboriginal leadership want to build and forge a strong future for our North. I believe they feel that our political and constitutional development must be in place before devolution.
You only have to look to our provinces and even to the Yukon government to see the dismal track record when it comes to dealing with Aboriginal people and governments. It is still felt that the federal government is giving away Dene lands.
I am in agreement that this government must begin the discussions of our political future. I believe that it must include guaranteed Aboriginal representation and leadership. The fear, Mr. Speaker, is that in the future if there is no Aboriginal involvement because non-Aboriginals get elected, then we’ll end up in a situation like our southern provinces.
I ask that all discussions that lead up to final devolution should include Aboriginal governments. There must be another solution for involvement for those that do not want to sign. I am certain that constitutional development discussions will be necessary as we work towards our final devolution agreement. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
