Yes. Thank you, Madam Chairperson. Thank you, my colleagues. I am pleased today to present the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs budget as proposed in the Main Estimates for 1998-1999.

The goals and related strategies of the ministry, for the next fiscal year and beyond, concentrate on three areas and are coordinated with those of other departments. The focus is on: the development of a system of government for the western Northwest Territories, acceptable to its citizens the conclusion of outstanding land claims, self-government and treaty entitlement agreements; and securing funding arrangements for the implementation of these agreements which will ensure the maintenance of adequate quality and level of programs and services for all residents.

Although I am pleased with the progress made in these areas over the past year, many challenges remain and the workload will continue to increase until the goals are achieved. The federal response to the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples will generate a number of initiatives which the ministry will participate in partnership with the federal government, the aboriginal First Nations and the Inuit organizations.

The matter of future governance in the western Northwest Territories is a very high priority for aboriginal people as it is for this government. I would like to present a brief summary of the highlights of the Ministry's budget. The proposed 1998-1999 budget is $2,765,000 and includes 21 positions. This represents an increase of $382,00 and 3 positions which was approved last year through supplementary appropriations for self-government negotiations and will continue for one more year.

The continuation of contribution funding of $202,000 to the Constitutional Working Group is also proposed. The ministry has no capital budget and does not generate revenues. The ministry receives $588,000 in Vote 4/5 funding from the federal government to fund incremental costs related to obligations of land claims. Mahsi, Madam Chairperson.