Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier my Member's statement was on World Water Day with the United Nations, and I have questions for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Mr. Speaker, I am aware that ENR will be running a few activities in Tuktoyaktuk for World Water Day for the general public. Can the Minister tell us a bit more about how ENR recognizes World Water Day or other engagement activities for water awareness? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, International Water Day, as the Member pointed out, is held usually on March 22nd, and it aims to highlight the importance of fresh water and the sustainable management of freshwater resources. We recognize the importance of that. Earlier this year, the chair of the Inuvialuit Water Board reached out to our office requesting support for an event planned for the community of Tuktoyaktuk to celebrate this year's World Water Day. In October of last year, I provided a letter of support and committed department officials to work with the board in a collaborative manner on this important event.
I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, organizations like the Inuvialuit Water Board have an important role to play in sustainable water management in the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is: what is the working relationship between the department and the water boards across the Northwest Territories?
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, we have a longstanding relationship with the Inuvialuit Water Board as well as with the other Water Boards across the Northwest Territories. It is extremely important that we work closely with them to advance issues. They work cooperatively on a number of public outreach activities such as regulatory guidance, training, and education. At this year's World Water Day in Tuktoyaktuk, ENR staff will actually be going into Mangilaluk School with staff from the board and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to provide education outreach to students grades one through six.
Masi. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response. Getting back to water boards, environmental boards, they carry a lot of Indigenous knowledge and are very key in the role that they play in decisions on major projects across the territory. Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that, and I respect that, and kudos in involving them in the decisions moving forward. Mr. Speaker, ENR is to lead on some very important water management work, including trans-boundary water agreements. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell how Indigenous governments and traditional knowledge are incorporated into this work?
The GNWT has signed three trans-boundary water agreements with its neighbouring jurisdictions. In 2002, we signed one with the Government of Yukon. 2015, GNWT signed trans-boundary agreements with Alberta and British Columbia. Under these agreements, traditional local knowledge is a cross-cutting theme. Traditional local knowledge is important for setting and assessing trans-boundary objectives and forming all aspects of learning plans, informing long-term monitoring, and informing decision-making under these important agreements. Mr. Speaker, also in 2015, the GNWT signed an intergovernmental agreement which outlines the role of Indigenous governments in implementation of our trans-boundary agreements, including Indigenous representation on established bilateral management committees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
