Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, some of my constituents from the Nahendeh constituency attended a three-day meeting on the Hay River Reserve in the Deh Cho region last week from February 9 to 11, 1998. This was a three-day meeting on treaty rights, and there was discussion on the oral understanding of Treaty 8 and 11 from the elders and community leaders of the Akaitcho and Deh Cho territories. Mr. Speaker, they had a special guest, a special rapporteur from the United Nations, Dr. Alfonso-Martinez was in attendance at this meeting. This doctor has been commissioned to have a final report prepared for the United Nations in July of this year. He is investigating the Indigenous Treaties from around the world and will be making recommendations to be implemented at the international level.

Mr. Speaker, this meeting was attended by a lot of people throughout the Deh Cho region, including the communities I represent. There were a number of representations that were made emphasizing the importance of the oral history and the understanding that Treaty 8 and 11 are peace and friendship arrangements rather then lands surrenders. People have expressed their concerns at this meeting and voiced dissatisfaction with violations against their treaties over the years. People have felt that there is a breach by the federal government obligations to the First Nations in the north. There is also a concern that Canada's policies and directions today continue to infringe on their treaty rights. I would like to quote from the Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus who was a presenter and emphasized, "the validity of Indigenous Treaties and that by International and British Common Law standards Canada is obligated to implement and uphold their part of the bargain," and "there was a meeting of the minds at Treaty making which cannot be ignored by Canada any longer." Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause