Mr. Chairman, the aboriginal people have business to settle with the federal government that has been outstanding for many years. They can do it through a comprehensive claim approach, they can do it through treaty land entitlement, or they can come up with another mutually agreed to process. That is primarily business with the federal government. As a territorial government, we've been trying to support and encourage all aboriginal peoples to be clear about how they want to go about settling outstanding issues and claims.
For instance, in our meeting with the Deh Cho leadership this summer in Kakisa, we said that if they do not agree with oil and gas exploration happening at this time, we would support that and convey it in very strong terms to the federal government. But, oil and gas and minerals are still very much the prerogative of the federal government. It's unfortunate that when processes break down or when the federal government or aboriginal groups withdraw from negotiations, it's the aboriginal people who are left exposed and unprotected.
I say that because I know that whatever you thought of the comprehensive Dene claim, that process, as long as it was in place, provided interim protection to the Dogrib people and the Chipewyan, for instance. But, as soon as the claims process was shut down then all the land was made available to stakers and people who wanted to make claims on that land. In the absence of the interim protection that the comprehensive claim provided, the Dogrib people have really had most of their traditional lands alienated through this massive staking activity that has gone on during the last three years. There is an interest. We are interested for more than just trying to settle things, to support aboriginal people in getting some process going because we see it as the best avenue for protection. We continue to support Treaty 8 in their recent efforts to try to come to an understanding with the federal government. They have come out with a specific suggestion. It is something we can work with. Once the Deh Cho does that, we will be there to support them as well if we think it can go. Thank you.