Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to congratulate the Inuit leadership and all the people of Nunavut on the result of their land claim vote. These results which were announced on November 12, 1992, indicated that 70 per cent of the eligible voters supported the land claim agreement. The negotiations and now the ratification of this important agreement with the Government of Canada has been a very significant accomplishment, Mr. Speaker. It required a major commitment from the elders, the community leadership, the T.F.N. and the Nunavut membership of this Legislative Assembly. Negotiating and ratifying a claim is a lot of work, but even more work needs to be completed within the next seven years. As we move towards the establishment of Nunavut in 1999, I will be in this House for at least three of these seven years, Mr. Speaker. I will fully support the efforts of the honourable colleagues from Nunavut to work towards the realization of their goals. Likewise, I would hope that the honourable Members from the eastern and central Arctic will support us as we deal with issues surrounding the new constitutional changes which face us in the west. I believe

that if we work together we will see the emergence of both a strong Nunavut and a strong western territory. (translation ends) Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Members' Statements. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since today is the beginning of a new session, I think it is only appropriate that I rise to speak as others have done about the new beginning that the people of the eastern Arctic have embarked upon and the creation and establishment of Nunavut. Earlier this year, after the people of the Northwest Territories voted "yes" to the boundary for division of the Northwest Territories, I rose in this House to speak about the need for this government to re-evaluate the way its departments, boards and agencies deliver programs and planning for the creation of Nunavut. Today, just one week after the Inuit of Nunavut voted to ratify their land claim agreement with the federal government, I would like to speak once again about the important decisions that must be made in this House in planning for the eventual creation of Nunavut. It is readily apparent that the people have spoken with a full voice on this matter. They have accepted the historic land claim agreement with Canada and the establishment of a new territory with a public form of government to be known as Nunavut. It is our job and the job of the government to work in good faith with the matters leading to division. To that end it is important that the issues that face this government, such as the decentralization of government structures and the devolution of authority to regional and municipal governments, take place as quickly as possible. There should be no further excuses or delays in fully implementing these policies. I want to ensure that the individual departments of this government take note of this important decision. This decision should be the single most important factor that all departments take into account when making future decisions on program delivery and operational and capital planning.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote an old proverb that says "from small beginnings come great things." I would like to congratulate all the people of Nunavut on their own small beginning. Thank you.

Members' Statements. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to rise and make comments about the ratification. I will make my comments short. The M.L.A.s in Tungavik were working very hard before the ratification, travelling to the communities. We are past this stage of the ratification vote and we will have to start working for our northern people and our future generations. Now we know we have a good place in the future in Canada. I would also like to show my appreciation to the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut and the Ministers across the table. Although the ratification vote has passed, we will have to work together because we live in a different world. I would also like to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to make my statement.

Item 4, Members' Statements. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to show my pride for the Nunavut T.F.N. Board which has worked for many years for the successful ratification vote on November 3, 4, and 5 when the people of Nunavut came to the polls. I would like to thank the people of Nunavut for voting "yes." I would also like to thank my constituents of Baffin Central who had one of the highest turnouts at the polls, and my fellow M.L.A.s who have supported this great deal. I would like to show my appreciation to them. This has been worked on for over 20 years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Item 4, Members' Statements. Mr. Koe.

Mr. Speaker, on November 16, 107 years ago a man named Louis Riel was hung after the Canadian Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister John A. MacDonald, determined that he was guilty of high treason. Treason means betrayal, breach of allegiance, treachery and disloyalty. It was not Riel who was disloyal or betrayed his country. While Riel had in good faith negotiated Manitoba's entry into Confederation, the government turned around and betrayed Riel by sending troops out to get rid of him and his provisional government. Louis Riel paid with his life for his leadership in a movement which fought for the maintenance and rights and freedoms of the Metis people. If Riel was guilty of anything it was only of trying to help his people defend their land, the principles of self-government and to fight against the status quo. Since his death, Metis have continued that struggle which Riel began. They continue to fight for the Metis culture and to fight against the status quo which would see that culture and heritage obliterated. Only recently has the struggle seen dividends. Mr. Speaker, in March of this year Louis Riel was officially recognized by the Parliament of Canada. The Metis people have also finally caught the attention of the Canadian Parliament. Metis have been involved in the constitutional process and their concerns have been acted upon. Had the national referendum results been positive, Metis would have been able to look forward of implementation of objectives such as self-government, equity of access and a place in Canadian society as first class aboriginal Canadians. As it is they will have to wait longer for these objectives to materialize. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to continue. Are there any nays? There are no nays, proceed Mr. Koe.

Mahsi. Unfortunately, the national Constitution was rejected but there is no reason the territorial process cannot pick-up where the national process left off. The Canadian and provincial governments were prepared to recognize Metis rights. We believe that this government must do the same. Not just passively, but actively. The committee for a Constitution for a new western territory made many recommendations which would have given the Metis the recognition due to them. This government must work to ensure Metis are not being treated differently than other aboriginal people in the Northwest Territories. The Metis have often been referred to as Canada's forgotten people. It is imperative that this government take action to ensure that the Metis are forgotten no more. Mahsi Cho.

Item 4, Members' Statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 4, Members' Statements. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am very honoured today, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a brief comment on the successful land claim vote held recently in the eastern Arctic. Almost 70 per cent of the eligible voters voted "yes" in favour of the land claim developed and negotiated for everyone by the T.F.N. (translation ends)

When I went to school, Mr. Speaker, I had to stay with my teacher because my parents were living at the outpost camp. My teacher encouraged me to visit the Hudson Bay manager so that I could learn different English accents. During my visit with the Hudson Bay manager to learn his accent, who was Scottish, a young boy of 14 came by dog team from his father's outpost camp to get tea, sugar and tobacco on credit to tide them over until they got more foxes to trade. Without saying anything or acknowledging his presence, although the Bay manager spoke Inuktitut fluently, he filled the tobacco can a quarter full with loose leaf tea and put some cigarette butts into a used envelope and ordered him in Inuktitut to leave for home. Although he had been travelling most of the day, he nodded his head to signal obedience and left to travel back to his camp, a journey that would take him most of the night. I then left his house with a lump in my throat and declared that I would study English very hard so that I could represent my people in determining our desired destiny. Mr. Speaker, that was as recent as the winter of 1960. With the successful ratification vote of the Nunavut land claims agreement, I feel ready and willing to work to make life more rewarding for people like that young man, who was 14, at the time.

Mr. Arvaluk, your allotted time has elapsed.

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to complete my statement.

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Please proceed, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you colleagues. Through the struggle to get the federal government to accept the reality of Inuit aspirations and their achievements, I feel we have come a long way since then.

(Translation) I recognize that many people who participated in this ratification. However, I would like to show my gratitude to the pioneers like Tagak Curley, who ran the Eskimo Association of Canada and who vocalized the issues for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada; John Amagoalik, who never seemed to run out of ideas and strategic plans; Bob Kudloo and Allen Maksagak who stuck it out to the end. Also, I thank James Eekoolook and Louis Pilakapsi, who determined that the work we started must be completed, and my father, who kept reminding me that without the land claim settlement, the Inuit will always be asking for solutions instead of doing what is best for them. (Translation ends)

Answers are not going to be easy, but at least we will be in a position to answer the best we can.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am very happy and proud. It is a great moment for me in the long history of the Inuit people. I know that all Inuit will work together over the next decade to ensure that Nunavut becomes a unified and integral part of the Canadian political landscape. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' Statements. Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to congratulate the many people involved with the historic events in Nunavut in early November. I congratulate in particular the constituents I represent in Iqaluit for once again doing their duty as citizens to vote and realize the long-held goal of Nunavut alongside the settlement of the Inuit land claim.

Mr. Speaker, this was my main motive for seeking public office in 1979, and the people of Iqaluit have been behind me ever since. It has been a long struggle since this Legislature agreed in principle to the division of the territories while sitting in Frobisher Bay in 1981. That resolution lead to no less than three major public votes, each of which could have set back the process had they failed. Over each vote my constituents kept themselves informed, and they took those votes very seriously. The April 14, 1982 plebiscite on the principle of division was the closest of all. If it had not been for the very high turnout and very high "yes" votes in Iqaluit and other Nunavut constituencies, that plebiscite would not have succeeded.

Again, on May 4, 1992 it was the high turnouts and strong consensus which pushed the total votes over the top to "yes".

The final vote was November 3, 4 and 5, and although this vote was confined to Nunavut alone, there were still obstacles to overcome. First, according to the strict rules on this vote, an abstention was counted as a "no". There were other obstacles. The enumeration in Iqaluit was very poor. Many lifelong residents found themselves not on the list and there was no way they could be sworn in. Added to these challenges was a power failure in the middle of the voting which delayed the final day, and 65 to 80 kilometre winds in minus 20 degree temperatures on the final day. The Inuit...

Mr. Patterson, your allotted time has elapsed.

May I have consent to proceed?

The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Proceed please, Mr. Patterson.