Mr. Chairman, I think that is a really good question. Here is a clause that was inserted at the very strong insistence of the Assembly of First Nations, that in fact, in my view, if there was no agreement to insert this in there, there would be no deal. That is how critical this particular clause was, and yet, the aboriginal leadership felt it sufficient that there was agreement to include this clause.
Now, the understanding is that, of course, when you look at the treaties, the courts will ultimately grab a hold of this, and choose to use it to interpret what both sides thought the deal was when treaty negotiations were taking place. Now, they could range from one extreme to another. One is that they could say, look, what is written in the written text of the treaty is all that you got, all you agreed to, and that is that. That would be, in my view, rather extreme, since the understanding is that it includes whatever notes and attachments that were made in the course of the discussions, such as the Commissioner's notes.
The other extent of it is, quite possibly, within the realm of what the Dene Nation has long said, that is, the treaties are simply peace treaties and treaties to allow non-aboriginal people to come on to these lands without duly interfering with the rights of the aboriginal people. If the negotiations of Treat 8 and 11 are going to be taken to task by the Dene and Metis to say that they want them implemented, but first interpreted, if this provision goes in, I think it adds tremendous strength to the cause of aboriginal people.
Again you will note, much in the same light as the fears of some aboriginal women, that some chiefs will say that this is not sufficient to quell my fears about what might happen. As I say about the fears of aboriginal women and other women, we have done what we could, and in this case, the inclusion of this clause, in my view, plus the insertion of the inherent right to self-government and the words that it will constitute a third order of government, adds a tremendous amount of power on the side of aboriginal people at the negotiating table. It is a tremendous power. Thank you.