Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister responsible for RWED, Mr. Kakfwi. Mr. Speaker, I wonder if the Minister could give the House an update as to the status of the dispute that centres around the Dene band in northern Manitoba and also Saskatchewan regarding the land rights, fishing and hunting rights. My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that there is a dispute regarding the land that is currently to be encompassed in Nunavut and the Dene band are saying that this land actually belongs to them. I wonder if the Minister could give us an update on the situation.

The Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. The aboriginal language translation and interpretation services provided by the Language Bureau was privatized in 1997. In June, 1997, the Cabinet authorized a reallocation of the budget formerly used for these services or about $1.437 million to be allocated to the language groups. I understand, Mr. Speaker, that there is only $350,000 from the original $1.437 million available to the aboriginal language groups in the Northwest Territories. Given that the Minister has stated that the closure of the Language Bureau was not a cost-cutting exercise, I am wondering why only $350,000 is available for the several different language organizations and groups in the Northwest Territories? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the privatization of the Language Bureau, the way I understand it is that, indeed, when we had interpreters and translators available to this government on salary, indeed, it was cheaper for the government. Now it is costing them more money to go to the private sector and, indeed, some monies have had to come forward from different departments to pay for these funds. My follow-up supplementary question is, has any money been made available or given to the Inuktitut language group in Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what is the process for the language groups to be able to get access to this money? If the Minister could explain that process and, indeed, how much money is available per language group? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the answer just given by the Minister, am I to understand that, indeed, each language group, for example, in Nunavut would it be NTI, they have to submit some type of proposal of how they will use this money and then the department will review the proposal and then submit the allocated $50,000, if that was the amount? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Dent.

Oral questions. Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, following up to my earlier question, I wonder if Minister Antoine, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, will provide the update I was seeking regarding the land dispute between the Dene band in northern Manitoba regarding the land that is encompassed in Nunavut? Thank you.

The Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Mr. Antoine.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Dene Schineyea in northern Manitoba, there is a dispute right now with them and the federal government. These matters are currently before the federal court in litigation of Chief Simon Samuel versus the Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Tunngavik Federation in Nunavut. As such, it would be probably inappropriate for me to comment directly on these matters at this time. It is a complicated issue and, if need be, I will gather all the pertinent information and provide the background information to the honourable Member asking the question. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Rabesca.