Mahsi, Madam Speaker. I, too, would like to see the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development address us here in this Legislative Assembly. I would like to have the opportunity, however, to be able to question the Minister. The purpose of the visit, according to the Honourable Minister Stephen Kakfwi, is for clarification of the federal government's position. To just have the Minister give us a statement and leave may raise more questions. There may be a requirement for more clarification after he makes the statement. I would like to have an opportunity to try to further clarify any statement the Minister may give in this House.
I, too, agree with the Premier, the Honourable Nellie Cournoyea, that to invite Minister Ronald Irwin here is not to get direction from the big federal government and to have them tell us what to do. I come from an area where we are fiercely independent. We don't like people telling us what to do and I'm sure people in the north feel the same. We don't want somebody from Ottawa telling us what to do. I don't expect to hear that kind of message. For that reason, as well, I would like to be able to question the Minister when he comes into the House to give a statement.
You must realize that there are regions that have reached settlement and other regions that don't have claims. You must go back into history when, 20 years ago, the whole notion of aboriginal rights was thrown out by the federal government. We have evolved quite a bit in dealing with aboriginal issues. Now we are even talking about aboriginal self-government. That is a big evolution.
As well, I don't want to see the territorial government and the Ministers here try to put roadblocks in front of those groups that are not negotiating their own areas, but are endeavouring to make arrangements with the federal government, just because there aren't claims in their regions. I don't want them to take this opportunity to set parameters and principles that will deter other regions from reaching their initiatives.
I just wanted to make those comments, but I will support this motion. Thank you.