Mahsi cho. All aboriginal peoples in the western Northwest Territories should have more meaningful participation in the process leading to division.
Mr. Speaker, I note that the aboriginal leaders sought and obtained support from the executive of the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities on this position. They had asked if the municipalities also wanted representation on their committee and received the assurance that this was not necessary.
I will also note that this statement should not be taken to mean the Deh Cho First Nations or the Treaty 8 Tribal Council are now willing to join in on the Constitutional Development Steering Committee process as anything other than observers. The Deh Cho and Treaty 8 are pursuing a different direction in the development and implementation of governments in their territorial areas. These groups do, however, wish to protect their legitimate interest in such areas as division of the Government of the Northwest Territories assets and liabilities.
The participation of the Government of the Northwest Territories in negotiations between aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada is also a source of concern. The leaders of the aboriginal peoples believe that the Government of the Northwest Territories should not have third-party status in any such negotiations, unless the aboriginal peoples concerned consent to such status.
Mr. Speaker, different aboriginal peoples have somewhat different interests, as well as different histories and positions before the law. None of the nine groups want the Government of the Northwest Territories to have third-party status. They believe it is wrong to insist that all should have the same position on this issue before our government revisits the matter. A bannock-cutter approach to self-government will never work.
4. The devolution of authority to the Government of the Northwest Territories is another issue impairing relationships between the aboriginal peoples and the Government of Canada. The leaders of the aboriginal peoples believe that there should be no further devolution from the Government of Canada to the Government of the Northwest Territories without the consent of the aboriginal peoples concerned.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, the nine leaders believe that we would support their positions if we took the time to hear them out. They look forward to the establishment of a mechanism for ongoing formal consultation with the Legislative Assembly on these and other issues. Perhaps the next Legislative Assembly will demonstrate more solidarity with the western aboriginal leaders and the people they represent. Mahsi cho. The inherent right will have a significant and lasting ---Applause