Madam Speaker, I have not studied or researched the intent of the treaties. The basis of my support for the Treaty 8 chiefs is to get negotiations going with the federal government. The area the Treaty 8 chiefs are asking us to determine are areas directly related to the fiduciary responsibility of the federal government to the Treaty 8 people. We are merely there to support them to try to get the process going. We don't want to stand in their way. We want the federal government to take their responsibility as determined by the treaties. If it is an assessment or an analysis of what the treaty says, I don't believe that can be overcome unless the federal government sits down seriously with these people and take on their particular responsibilities.

It is my understanding, and it has been stated in this Legislative Assembly for many, many years over and over again, that this government does not have the legislative authority to deal with the particular questions Treaty 8 people are asking. We can help, but we can't answer to the treaty entitlement. Thank you.