Mr. Speaker... [English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, I ask you to recall the story of Robin Hood, who lived in Nottingwood.
Nottingham. Nottingham.
Sorry; Nottingham -- thank you very much -- ruled by Prince John. This was a time when you could not hunt without then the consent of the Prince, or face penalties or even jail. This is what our aboriginal chiefs and our aboriginal people face with this temporary ban on hunting the Bathurst herd in the protected zone.
It occurred to me, Mr. Speaker, that what we are talking about is penalizing and even jailing our aboriginal people for doing what they have always done: hunt for food, subsistence living, a way of life; in short, the single biggest definition of aboriginal culture. Regretfully, this controversy has taken away from the focus on the conservation of this herd. However, I support our chiefs in all our regions, that treaty rights have been subjugated, taken away; a dangerous precedent, even if it is temporary.
Mr. Speaker, almost all legal challenges of treaty and harvesting rights have always been upheld. We do not have to go down this costly road. In fact, I think the better challenge is for our Minister of ENR to find an immediate solution to salvage for aboriginal people and communities a subsistence quota for this year. I do not support the lifting of the ban, but I support recognizing traditional harvesting rights. Like Mr. Bromley, I urge our Minister and our government to meet with affected First Nations and find a mutually agreed system wherein the needs of conservation and harvesting rights can be addressed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like my colleagues Mr. Bromley and Mr. Menicoche, I wish to raise the issue of the caribou.
As caribou is a significant matter and it’s reaching a fever pitch, Mr. Speaker, this Assembly needs to draw attention with the issue of this government’s authority over traditional hunting rights. There is talk about a pending legal challenge. Mr. Speaker, there is never a winner; only the lawyers, the media and the historians always come out ahead on that deal. The question of the day is: what efforts have been made together to find a meaningful solution? Only together in partnership with open communication and respect that will be the key to protecting the caribou and its future.
I find it is difficult to imagine that there is one person in the Northwest Territories that wants to see this on the endangered list or even on the extinction list. However, if matters could be made worse, we never seem to talk about or deal with the problem that a number of land claims seem to have trouble with this legislative authority. Regardless of the legal authority, the many groups in our land claims don’t recognize the territorial government as a legitimate government, so we will continue to have problems.
We must work together to recognize and respect each other. Mr. Speaker, there lies the problem but also equally there lies the solution. With best intentions, this government has taken a stance in what it believes is the only course for the salvation of the caribou, and that we have all become too well too aware of the emergency ban that has been enacted and that has caused great frustration. How do you now tell an independent people or even legitimate governments that we know best?
As I said earlier, in partnership and communication with respect, I believe will be the key to save the caribou.
If I can paint a picture, Mr. Speaker, this situation reminds me all too well of the colonial approach that the UK once took with Canada and, furthermore, in recent years not much difference in what Ottawa has been doing to the NWT. The message can only be lost by the oppressive rules of engagement that have been defined in the instructions.
Mr. Speaker, we have also heard of the phrase, “it may be awful, but it is good for you.” I can tell you a lot of people out there seem to have a bad taste in their mouth about how this situation has been evolving. Mr. Speaker, we need to find a solution. This government needs to support the Wekeezhii board to lead on this initiative, not the GNWT.
Mr. Speaker, may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?
---Unanimous consent granted.
This government needs to find a way to support the board in making a timely decision, because this is a critical issue for all. I am confident that a balanced solution can be found. I believe a strategy to address limited hunting to make sure caribou is on the tables of those who need it to eat, Mr. Speaker. I believe that there are options out there that could help develop a limited hunting process with tags to help manage the harvest. Mr. Speaker, I also know that we could find a fair and respectful way to do this together. Mr. Speaker, there are options out there. I think this government’s primary option should be to get that board meeting to find a solution with everyone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.
