Thank you, Madam Groenewegen. Good afternoon. On behalf of the Honourable Sam Gargan, the Speaker, I would like to welcome to the Legislative Assembly today three of the four surviving carvers who worked on the original mace, Lukta Qiatsuk, Kovianaktuliak Parr and Ashevak Ezekiel from Cape Dorset. Unfortunately, Oshawetuk Ipeelie is not with us today. I would also like to recognize and welcome Madelaine Canadien and Mary Agnes Matto-Bonnetrouge of Fort Providence who made the quillwork for the replica mace.

As you know the mace represents the legislative authority of the House and without it we would not be able to pass any laws. The original mace was made in 1955 by nine carvers from Cape Dorset. As many of you may know Mr. Gargan travelled to Cape Dorset last month with the Honourable Goo Arlooktoo to commemorate the excellent work that carvers from Cape Dorset did on the original mace. While there, Mr. Gargan discovered that the four surviving carvers had never seen the completed mace so he invited them to Yellowknife to see the fruits of their labour. As you can see, the original mace is on display here today in the Assembly for the first time in many years. It is indeed a work of art and reflects the talent that exists in many of our northern communities.

Equally important is the work of those northerners involved with the replica mace, the one that we use in the Legislative Assembly today. Madelaine Canadien and Mary Agnes Matto-Bonnetrouge were both part of that project.

Mr. Gargan has recommended that this mace should be retired in 1999 when division occurs and that a new mace be made for Nunavut and one for the western territory. If new maces are made for each territory I encourage all northerners to get involved in making maces that truly reflect their culture, people and region. Thank you.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Item 2, Ministers' statements. Mr. Antoine.

Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, the Constitutional Working Group publicly released the document, Partners in a New Beginning in October, 1996. The document includes ideas on how a western territory could govern itself following division in 1999. The Constitutional Working Group is a partnership including representatives from the Aboriginal Summit, and representatives of the Western Caucus of the NWT Legislative Assembly. The western MLA's on the working group represent all western NWT residents, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal. I co-chair the Constitutional Working Group with Mr. George Kurszewski of the Aboriginal Summit.

Since the release of the Partners document the Constitutional Working Group has consulted with the general public and federal government on the proposed models for a new government structure for the western NWT after division. At the most recent meeting of the working group, which was held on May 14th and 15th, Members reviewed and discussed the results of the initial round of formal public consultations. In direct response to comments and suggestions raised by the public, the Constitutional Working Group has made a number of decisions on the timing and process for constitutional change, including how the Constitutional Working Group operates.

Successfully carrying out many of these decisions will depend on securing long term federal and territorial financial support. The Constitutional Working Group will be seeking a meeting with the new Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs as soon as possible after the federal election to secure political and financial support from the federal government. More specifically, the Constitutional Working Group has agreed that:

- The October 1997 plebiscite on a western constitutional package will be rescheduled to a later date;

- April 1, 1999 should be set as a goal, not a deadline for sending a ratified constitutional package to the federal government. Residents must not be rushed into making decisions on the constitutional package before they are ready;

- A second formal round of consultations will take place in late fall and early winter of 1997 and 1998;

- Future consultations will involve both formal meetings and less formal workshops with individuals and organizations in the communities and regions;

- Constitutional Working Group members will play a more prominent role in the second round of consultations. Members will participate in more community meetings and assist the public in understanding the rationale behind the revised package;

- Information provided prior to the second round of consultations will include more options on a new western government;

- The options will continue to take into account concerns which have been expressed by the federal government;

- A constitutional conference will be planned for the spring of 1998 to allow western leaders and community representatives to review a revised Partners' document; and

- Future meetings of the Constitutional Working Group will be open to the public.

Decisions on the timing of a plebiscite to put the final constitutional package to the people will be made at a later date, in consultation with residents of the western NWT, the Aboriginal Summit and the federal government.

Mr. Speaker, the Constitutional Working Group has heard and responded to the various suggestions brought forward by residents during the initial round of public consultation. These suggestions relate to how the Constitutional Working Group operates and the constitutional proposals prepared for public consideration.

The working group meeting on May 14th and 15th also addressed the companion self-government agreement which is a key element of the western constitutional package. The Aboriginal Summit will continue to play the lead role in developing the companion agreement while the Constitutional Working Group remains responsible for developing a revised Northwest Territories Act which is the other key element of the package.

On an administrative note, I wish to announce that Mr. Fred Koe, who has served as the executive director of the working group, has asked to step down to focus his attention on his duties as the chair of the Workers' Compensation Board. Understanding the importance of maintaining a dedicated focus on the constitutional initiative, the working group is pleased to announce that Mr. Steve Iveson will take over the Constitutional Working Group's executive director position. Mr. Iveson is on loan to the working group from the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and brings tremendous experience and energy to the position. I wish to express the appreciation of the Constitutional Working Group to our former executive director, Mr. Fred Koe.

We have listened to the people and commit to involving interested residents of the Western Territory in the shaping of their new government after division. We must work together to shape a government which addresses the needs of all stakeholders in the North. The Constitutional Working Group is working to achieve this objective. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Antoine. Ministers' statements. The honourable Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Miltenberger, your time is up.

Thank you. The Member for Thebacha is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? None. Proceed, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Ootes. Member for High Arctic, Mr. Barnabas.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a Member's statement in regard to an individual who was a Member of the Legislative Assembly. (Translation ends) I would like to express my sincere condolences and prayers to the family of Mr. Harold Kalluk and also to my predecessor Mr. Ludy Pudluk on the passing of their mother, Lydia Kalluk, who had the maiden name of Inoogok. She passed away on May 24, 1997. She was born near Pond Inlet on August 1, 1923 and she arrived in Resolute Bay in 1958-59 with her husband Harold Kulluk with her eight children. Three more children were born in Resolute Bay after she arrived there. Altogether there are ten children who are adults today.

Mrs. Kalluk had a tremendous impact and respect in the community of Resolute, this being a midwife between 1958 and 1960 or until nurses arrived in Resolute. She has been a very influential and important lady to the community of Resolute. Mrs. Lydia Kalluk will be missed and remembered for her important role as a midwife, as a great mother and a great grandmother. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Barnabas. On behalf of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to pass our condolences to the families. Member's statements, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is the time of year when many of our constituents go out on the land to harvest those resources that they believe are theirs to harvest and manage. Having said that, it has always been said that this is a very peaceful and serene land, especially for naive tourists and visitors from different parts of the world. But beneath the surface issues are always emerging. In recent decades a struggle has become evident. Having said that, I wish to read to you a letter that if I had been responsible for wildlife 44 years ago, I would have had the benefit of receiving first hand. This is a report to the Indian agent by Warden O. F. Eliason of Fort Good Hope in March, 1953. Mr. Eliason, reporting to the Indian agent in Ottawa, I believe, wrote at that time:

"Paul Voudrank, a local character wrote to the Prime Minister by registered mail complaining of having to trap beaver as opposed to being able to shoot them, complaining of persecution of the natives by the whites and requesting that the warden be removed and the game laws abolished as the natives could look after their country. Mr. Voudrank received an answer from head of Indian Affairs telling him to trap beaver, et cetera. I was shown this letter by the writer and would like to state that the writer summed up the situation very well with regards to the whys and hows of game branch policies and the necessity of trapping beaver. However, Mr. Voudrank did not receive a letter from whom he called "the Head Game Warden Man." Mr. Voudrank is now busy telling the rest of the population that he sure makes him ashamed. Not be outdone by Mr. Voudrank..." Mr. Speaker, I would like unanimous consent to conclude please.

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? Proceed, Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. This is a great letter. "Not to be outdone by Mr. Voudrank, the chief and a few others wrote to the Bishop of France, asking him to ensure a shooting season on beaver. The Bishop referred the matter to Senator Blais who contacted Indian Affairs and finally word was received by the Chief from Senator Blais which pointed out once more why they should trap their beaver. It is felt that the idea is slowly dawning on the native that he must obey the game ordinance and, at present many are preparing to go forth and trap.

Trapper James Jackson who has the status of a white called at my office in a very angry and violent mood. It seems as if Mr. Jackson is not in agreement with the registration of Manitou Island. He also appears anxious to become the game warden in Fort Good Hope. This man is well known to me as an agitator and is constantly spieling off to the natives with anti-registration, anti-game, anti-anything government propaganda. Last summer, after a heated discussion with two sub Chiefs on registration in which I was told to "watch out or somebody may get shot," the natives left my office and stated that they were going to see Mr. Jackson to see what they should do now. It is felt that Jackson causes the department a great deal of trouble with his behind the back tactics. On his recent visit to my office, Mr. Jackson's language became so abusive that only the fact that I am an employee of the Canadian government prevented a large Jackson-shaped hole from appearing in the wall. I mention these things to give the heads of this department an idea of some of the problems a warden can come up against in attempting to educate the native and carry out normal duties."

Thank you.

-- Laughter

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. The honourable Member for Hay River, Madam Groenewegen.

Thank you, Madam Groenewegen. Members' statements. The honourable Member for Iqaluit, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the recent announcement that the federal government has negotiated a deal with the United States for about $100 million for DEW line clean ups is unacceptable. The federal government is abdicating its responsibility and in Nunavut, NTI has reached an impasse with the Department of National Defence on the plan to clean up these sites.

Mr. Speaker, the $100 million announced is a convoluted sum. It is my understanding as reported in the media, it has a caveat that the money is to be spent or used as a credit for military equipment. That is unacceptable. The Department of National Defence still has not decided what to do with PCB-laden materials from the north's abandoned DEW line sites. The majority of which are located in Nunavut.

I have articulated these concerns in this House before because the Department of National Defence requested an exception to federal environment rules on the disposal and burying of PCB materials, like paint, by burying them in the ground.

If painted materials such as wood are burned improperly, there is the potential that the PCBs may be leached into the environment. In my riding of Iqaluit, we have seen the cost and time it took to clean up the upper base site. Also, in the constituency of Iqaluit, the Resolution Island site is, from all reports one of the most contaminated in the north, is still being investigated. Where will the money come from to clean up and restore these sites? Surely the Nunavut or new western government will not be expected to cover the cost which could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that this government has been as forceful as we should have been on this issue. I also think that during the current federal election, it could have been raised to bring attention to it. I also understand that Environment Canada has officially now turned down the request by the Department of National Defence to bury PCB laden material at the sites, ruling that the material, Mr. Speaker, is too toxic. We have to get aggressive on the whole issue of environmental clean ups of these military sites. The abdication, Mr. Speaker, by the federal government on the recent agreement with the United States is unacceptable and it must be challenged. Mr. Speaker, later today I will ask our Minister for the Environment questions on these matters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Picco. The honourable Member for Amittuq, Mr. Evaloarjuk.