Mahsi, giikhii. Today is June 21st, the longest day of the day of the year, and the day celebrated since 1982 as National Aboriginal Solidarity Day. Solidarity means unity based on a common interest.
Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to see a growing solidarity among aboriginal leaders in the western Northwest Territories. The leaders of nine aboriginal political organizations met as an aboriginal summit two weeks ago in Yellowknife. The groups involved were the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich'in Tribal Council, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Deh Cho First Nations, Dogrib Treaty 11 Tribal Council, Treaty 8 Tribal Council, the South Slave Metis Tribal Council, Dene Nation and the Metis Nation of the Northwest Territories.
They had hoped to appear before us in committee of the whole to discuss their positions. Some of them oven hoped such a meeting might lead to a real partnership with the Assembly. That will not happen within the life of this Assembly. The leaders of the nine organizations have asked me to state on their behalf, their common positions.
1. an inherent right of self-government. To reach an agreement on the implementation of the inherent right must be a priority for all governments.
Mr. Speaker, the leaders have a legitimate demand that progress on public government in the western Northwest Territories must be matched by progress in a separate process leading to the implementation of the inherent right. We have come a long way in recognizing the inherent right. The leaders are asking us to help them keep self-government near the top of the federal agenda.
2. impact on the implementation of division of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.