Mr. Speaker, the clock is ticking to get started on the Premier's 50-year vision for the future of the Northwest Territories, a vision of decentralization of services and power to Indigenous self-governments. The vision is supported by the action of the previous Assembly which is committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, a declaration that internationally mandates the right to self-determination.
Furthermore, decentralization of services for Indigenous governments was mandated in the devolution process passed a decade ago. As well, in fact, these rights have been pursued for generations. Yet, today, we stand here in this Assembly, year after year, with no real progress towards goals once more.
The cost of inaction is seriously holding our communities back. Indigenous governments alone passes the knowledge, traditions, and perspectives that are needed to solve our health and housing crisis, and they need access to the resources to make it happen. Indigenous governments are allocated $1.6 billion out of the $2.2 billion budget this government gets on an annual basis.
Mr. Speaker, but, yet because of the stages of the colonial remain in place, much of those funds don't make it to our small communities or are allocated through restrictive policies that don't work for our people. A new deal for the North that respects Indigenous governments would therefore give them the resources and empower them are largely entitled so their communities can thrive. This new deal for the North will take a lot of effort and a lot of time, but thankfully a lot of that work has been done already.
In 1992, as the Northwest Territories was on the cusp of division, a report was commissioned in the Future of the Government of the Northwest Territories written by the late Jim Bourque that outlined the solutions of the North, needs for the fair future, and this Assembly is committed to working towards. The biggest solution offered in Jim Bourque's report was the NWT Constitution which would clearly outline the role and functions of Indigenous governments and have governance in our territory. Unfortunately, despite all the time and money spent on the research, a Constitution to produce the report, it was never enacted and instead it was shelved for generation.
Well, Mr. Speaker, I can call on this government to take another look at the Jim Bourque report. We need to work as soon as possible as the claim is being settled. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my Member's statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. To do so, we must work together to figure out a process to achieve these goals through the Council of Leaders and working group and committee to make this progress that has been promised for decades. As Canada makes its way for a long journey towards justice and reconciliation for Indigenous people, the North can -- sorry, the North can use this critical junction we are striving for as an opportunity to develop a model of governance. Mr. Speaker, I would have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Members' statements. Member from Yellowknife Centre.
