Debates of February 29, 2024 (day 13)

Date
February
29
2024
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
13
Speaker
Members Present
Hon. Caitlin Cleveland, Mr. Edjericon, Mr. Hawkins, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay MacDonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Yakeleya
Topics
Statements

Question 146-20(1): Treaty Rights

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now that Canada and the GNWT's bound legally by section 35 in UNDRIP to bring themselves in compliance with Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 rights, the question is how is this new government working to implement section 35 UNDRIP with existing treaties in partnership with Indigenous governments? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Could you tell me who you're asking?

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So with the passage of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act, we are now obliged through that legislation to develop an action plan for implementation of UNDRIP, and that is going to be and it's legislated to be codeveloped with Indigenous governments, and so that is the avenue to address a lot of these issues. And if there is things such as taxation that the government would like addressed, the time to bring it up is right at the beginning so that work can happen during the development of that action plan. Thank you.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Part of the oath of office for all the MLAs, again, it just talks about that we'll continue to honour and respect the treaties signed with Indigenous governments, so help me God. So I am happy to hear that from the Premier. Thank you for that.

How do we ensure future laws do not impose taxes on First Nations in breaching trust sorry, breach of their treaty rights on Treaty 8 and Treaty 11 territory? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And we are going through that process right now, and that is the land claim and selfgovernment negotiations. I think that is what we need to conclude to ensure that there is a welldefined relationship between the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of Canada, and the governments in Treaty 8 territory. And so in terms of the Akaitcho treaty that we hope to finalize in the not too distant future, that would be the place to identify those relationships, and that is why it is important that we get that AIP concluded, to reference the Member's questions from the other day. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Premier. Mr. Speaker, as you know that the territorial council or the Territorial Council Act was created in 1967. That's 67 years ago. So my question to the primary is will the Premier consider developing some taxation to Indigenous governments as to how they're going to deal with taxation on treaties? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, again, that's the work that is happening as we negotiate the Akaitcho treaty, and so I look forward to that progressing. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final oral supplementary. Member from Tu NedheWiilideh.

Thank you. And I understand the negotiation process. I was part of that process as well. Going back to 1967 to date, so it'd be nice if this government could start looking as to how we're going to be dealing with taxation through that process so that sorry? To the question. The question is basically through negotiations that the taxation compensation to Akaitcho Treaty 8 be looked at from 1967 going forward? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, again, it is that treaty process, so I look forward to or the negotiations, so I look forward to including this and being able to in future Assemblies say yes, those issues have been settled. The issues that the Member from Tu NedheWiilideh raised back in the 20th, we've dealt with those, we now have this the Akaitcho treaty and, you know, the Akaitcho people are exercising their inherent right to selfdetermination and selfgovernment. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Frame Lake.