Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our regional government will be considered in the self-government negotiations at the request of aboriginal groups. The general view of the GNWT at these early stages is that the role of the regional governments will be to support the integrated and aboriginal governments at the community level. The nature of some programs lend themselves to be more effectively and more efficiently delivered at a regional level rather than at a community level. But the role of regional institutions should be driven by community interests.

The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs can provide more specifics, but generally speaking, the list includes matters that are internal to the aboriginal group and to its distinct aboriginal culture and essential to its operation as a government or an institution. These include, but may not be limited to, education, aboriginal language, culture, social services, health, family law, some taxation, and a range of municipal-type jurisdictions. Thank you.