Mahsi Cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to announce in the House today that exactly two weeks ago, the first assembly of the Dogrib Treaty 11 held its meeting in Rae on August 24 to August 28. At that meeting, they passed unanimously resolution number one, mandating the council to initiate and assume full control and responsibilities for negotiation for a Dogrib Nation regional comprehensive claim.

Mr. Speaker, the North Slave communities arrived at this historic decision after four days of discussion, and debate, held under the roof of the new cultural centre. Following each day's discussions, the delegates feasted together, and joined together in traditional activities. All in all, it was an historic week for the Tli Cho people, and a week, I believe, that will be talked about for a long time to come. Mr. Speaker, we came to a decision to negotiate a claim under the Federal Government's comprehensive claim process for a number of important reasons. As Members of this House are aware, the inherent right to self-government will be soon entrenched in the Canadian constitution. This means, among other things, that the self-government agreement that we will be negotiating with the Federal Government, will be constitutionally protected. The Dogrib people place a great deal of substantive and symbolic significance with the treaty number 11 of 1921. It is critically important that the elders are involved in claims negotiations. If we wait too long, we will not have their understanding of the treaty.

Mr. Speaker, the biggest claims staking bonanza in Canadian history is taking place in the North Slave region. Soon there will be very little land to choose from. The settlement of the regional claims, along with the self-government agreement will provide a solid foundation on which a cooperative partnership between business, government, and the Dogrib people can take place.

Mr. Speaker, we were thinking of printing up a logo that says, "Diamonds are Dogrib's best friend."

...Applause