Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Lands. Can the Minister inform this House on what a rightsbased cabin is as this term is something that his department has continued to use. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Minister responsible for Lands.
First of all, I'd like to thank the Member for the question. We've had this conversation numerous times so I can tell the people of the Northwest Territories she's doing her due diligence in trying to get this information out there.
The department is working with the Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations to distinguish potential rightsbased cabins from unauthorized occupancy and to develop an approach to manage the rightsbased cabins on public land. The department will continue the discussions with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations that want to engage with us on this work. Engagement started in February and will conclude in August of 2023. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell why does the GNWT charge fees for leases to Indigenous people to exercise their right to establish camps on public lands as those camps are directly linked to harvesting? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the department regulates validation and pricing for all public lands. Leases are required where exclusive use of public land is required. Lease rents are charged to have exclusive usage. Indigenous people are encouraged to selfidentify with the Department of Lands that they are rightsbased land users and within their traditional area if they wish to maintain a camp or a cabin on public land without a tenure. Some Indigenous people prefer to maintain tenure for the benefit associated with such things as exclusive use, being able to sell the improvements and interests in the land or leave it to someone else in the estate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for the you know, I think what he's saying is something that might affect down here but when I speak to my region, you know, is the GNWT is it the GNWT's position that charging fees to Indigenous people for establishing camps is consistent with land claim and treaty rights, because in my Member's statement, Mr. Speaker, I did state in the IFA leases for fees, any type of fees that go along with harvesting, are to be there should be no fees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. And, again, I appreciate the Member's passion on this, and we've had this conversation numerous times. Any land claims or treaty rights establish the process for use of public land, and the GNWT follows that claim. So that is our process, and we've been following that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this government has done some great work. Education for Indigenous people. Education has, you know, eliminated semesters to like, they can go to school longer. You know, the affirmative action is going out, being reviewed for Indigenous employment. So can this Minister commit to pausing all lease fees and collection actions against Indigenous people until a full legal review can be done on this issue because I know, Mr. Speaker, in my in my region, I spoke to even one of the leaders today, are you know, is that and this is not happening, we're not listening, and so this need to stop until there's a good legal review. So will this Minister commit to that? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as stated earlier, we have several processes underway working with Indigenous governments, including regulations for the Public Land Act. Until those processes are completed, the GNWT will continue to lease land in accordance with our Act and regulations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
