Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to follow up with questions to the Minister of Lands. Can the Minister explain to this House how the Yellowknives Dene First Nations were consulted in regards to the land at Cassidy Point? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Lands.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do know that there was consultation, and I just want to make sure I get my dates right. In December, formal consultation, December 2014, that is, the department sent formal consultation letters regarding the possible fee simple transfer to the Akaitcho Territory Dene First Nations, ADFN, Northwest Territories Metis Nation, North Slave Metis Alliance, and Tlicho government. Copies of the letters were also sent to the Yellowknives Dene First Nation chiefs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm a little bit concerned. This started in 1992, and if I heard the Minister say it correctly, it was 2014 when we consulted with the First Nations, so maybe he'll have to clarify that a little bit later. I guess my concern is, my understanding is that the Yellowknives Dene did not support the sale of this area to lease holders. So how was the government able to move forward with this commitment?
My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that when the letters were sent out on December 14, 2014, to the groups that I have already mentioned, the consultation period with respect to those letters ended on February 3, 2015, which would have been about 60 days later; and by that time, no Aboriginal governments responded to either support or object to the proposal.
I find it hard to believe that the First Nations would not object to this, but I guess I'll go on to my next question. Has the government of the GNWT compensated the Yellowknives Dene First Nations for taking these pieces of land and for that happening?
As I mentioned, letters were sent out to the groups I mentioned, and no responses, negatively or positively, were received by February 3, 2015, which, as I said, was approximately 60 days later. No compensation has been paid, as I understand it, to this point.
Thank you. Final question. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the Minister for that answer. So on October 20, 2016, the Minister spoke about the importance of the Government of the Northwest Territories honouring its commitments no matter how old they are. It comes with the honour of the Crown. In speaking with a number of residents, we're not too sure what the Minister meant by this. Can the Minister please explain to the House what he meant by this statement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
As all the Members of this House know, a commitment was made many years ago to the people at Cassidy Point, allowing them to obtain fee simple. Period. That was the end of it, we thought, but it is a little more complicated than that, simply because the people out at Cassidy Point doubtless relied on this assurance from the government. So there are two reasons why the government must follow up on its commitment, honour of the Crown, as I call it: one, we made the commitment, as I said; and, doubtless, people affected relied on that promise. So there are two reasons why we must follow through on this promise, and that is in keeping with the honour of the Crown. Thank you.
Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.
