(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to speak a little in my language. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Sahtu Dene and Metis on their successful negotiation of their comprehensive land claim agreement. (Translation ends)
Mr. Speaker, they signed a comprehensive land claim agreement with the federal government. It is expected that the Sahtu Dene and Metis Land Claim Settlement Act will be tabled in the House of Commons in the spring of 1994. This will mark the completion of the fourth comprehensive land claim in the Northwest Territories since 1984. The Sahtu, Dene and Metis join the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in and the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut on the way of achieving their goals of self-determination.
(Translation) The land claim act will create a co-management regime for land and water, allow for negotiation of self-government framework agreements and the Sahtu Dene and Metis will receive a fair amount of land and money to give future generations the ability to shape their own future. (Translation ends)
I ask that the Government of the Northwest Territories and this Legislative Assembly give their strong support to the Dene and Metis of the Sahtu and continue to support the other claimant groups. I ask my honourable colleagues to join me in offering my congratulations to the Dene and Metis of the Sahtu on achieving this land mark agreement. It is through their courage and conviction that they created a better future for their people. The Sahtu Dene and Metis leadership have worked long and hard with determination in the face of adversity. I also wish to thank all the parties involved, especially the negotiators who, I'm sure, had the support of their respective...