Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The matter which is being questioned is supposedly under negotiation. I have great reluctance to try to word anything off the cuff because the precision of the wording, the choice of words we use to communicate our position, has been a matter of great debate between lawyers. You could almost make a career out of arguing about what phrases and terminology you should use in this communication. The fact is I was asked to provide some comfort to aboriginal groups with regard to our position on the inherent right, respond to whether or not this government should be a third party in self-government negotiations and provide some other comments. I have done that. They asked for a letter, so I worked with my officials to draft a letter I thought would provide comfort. The response was varied. I provided a second draft yesterday to the groups to ask if this provided any additional comfort and only one group thought there may be interest in receiving such a letter. However, for the most part, they were either indifferent or dismissive of such a letter. So I have not closed the door on it, but I am not inclined at this time to provide a letter to them since it seems to bring no general comfort to them at all. Thank you.
Stephen Kakfwi on Question 602-12(7): Position Of Aboriginal Leaders On GNWT Position On Self-government
In the Legislative Assembly on June 14th, 1995. See this statement in context.
Return To Question 602-12(7): Position Of Aboriginal Leaders On GNWT Position On Self-government
Question 602-12(7): Position Of Aboriginal Leaders On GNWT Position On Self-government
Item 6: Oral Questions
June 13th, 1995
Page 1317
See context to find out what was said next.