Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is consensus in the Northwest Territories for Indigenous governments to govern themselves. And in the selection of the Premier this year, we talked about making it happen within the next 50 years. Mr. Speaker, can the Premier update the Assembly on the progress made this year towards improving self-determination as we approach the end of this first year of this government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, that's a big question, what's been, what progress has been made towards self-determination. It's not an easy path, as everyone is well aware, but this government, we've released a mandate that makes very clear that we intend to work with Indigenous governments as partners, not as, you know, vassals of the state. So we've done our best to implement that work. The Council of Leaders meetings have been, I think, more successful every time that we've met. We recently travelled to Ottawa with a number of Indigenous leaders to lobby on shared priorities. And I think that when you do that, you're empowering, from the GNWT's perspective, we are working with the Indigenous governments that so their voice is also heard. They're helping determine the resources that are coming to the territory by going to Ottawa together with them. And just in case I misspoke, we didn't bring Indigenous governments to Ottawa. We went together as the Council of Leaders. So that's one area.
Earlier today, we heard about the project finance for permanence that the government and a number of Indigenous governments have been working on together, and that's a way to advance self-determination. We are working together with Indigenous governments on implementing or creating an action plan to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, so that work is ongoing. So those are a few examples of the work that's happening. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Premier. The 1992 Bourque report made it clear that the work towards self-determination and decentralization couldn't be accomplished without constitutional reform. The Bourque report lays out much of the groundwork needed towards more equitable future for Indigenous governing. My question to the Premier is does is the Premier agree on the relevancy of the recommendation of the Bourque report provides, and does he support revisiting the updating -- revisiting and updating the report's recommendation? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So I've been furiously trying to find the Bourque report online. It's not that easy to find so I don't have it at my fingertips right now. But from what I've heard in the territory, the path forward is settling land claims. That's what I'm hearing from the Indigenous governments. I am interested in looking at the report. Whenever I hear about constitutional reform, I think that that would take all of our efforts and all of our focus would be on that and we wouldn't be achieving other things that might be more close -- closer in reach for us. So I'll leave it at that, and I'll have a look at the report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Premier. During the previous Assembly, a special committee on reconciliation and Indigenous affairs was struck to study the implementation of UNDRIP.
My question to the Premier, will the Premier commit to striking a similar committee or a comparable working group that can work alongside the Council of Leaders to maximize Indigenous and self-government in the Northwest Territories and to ensure the working group establishes proper consultation and engagement on the subject? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act does require the Government of the Northwest Territories to work with Indigenous governments, and there is a working group actually struck right now that is working on developing that action plan. So that work with Indigenous governments is happening. I'm not sure if the Member's speaking of a group of MLAs, but we're definitely working with the Indigenous governments. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Premier, for your response. Can the Premier commit to providing more transparency around the process of obtaining greater self-government and decentralization of services and provide regular timelines and updates on the work towards these goals? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I need a little more specificity in that request. That's a lot of reporting. We will have reporting through the UNDRIP Implementation Act plan. You know, we have a Member from Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight attending the Council of Leaders meetings. We do share negotiation updates with the Members. But if there's something that we can do, if the Member has something specific in mind, I'm happy to work with him and see what else we can make public. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Frame Lake.
