Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know the Minister keeps referring to the board member that the Gwich'in put on there. If he knows exactly how a lot of us feel about the board member that represents the Gwich'in on that board, so basically for him to use that as the excuse, oh well, you guys are involved, so basically you know what is best. I think everybody knows that any institution of that size is usually run by the executive director and headquarters in Yellowknife who basically call the shots. When it comes to delivering programs and services like community wellness, income support programs, I use the example of the Tl'oondih Program which they had a program that was recognized by the federal government in which they were allocated a million dollars and they were credible to the federal government's eyes of delivering a program. Then, when it comes to this government, because it is an aboriginal institution, they do not support that initiative. Yet they are pouring millions of dollars into government institutions and basically the cost of program delivery on that side.
The aboriginal groups are now looking at negotiating self-government and trying to find ways of getting out of this colonial attitude of this government so that they do not have to be dictated to for the rest of their lives and be more self-sufficient and independent. Yet, that is exactly the attitude that this department has toward aboriginal people. I think that it is time that they gave some of those responsibilities to the aboriginal groups who are presently in the process of starting to negotiate self-government agreements to take on these responsibilities now and not wait until after the conclusion of those negotiations.
I think that is exactly why communities are suggesting pulling away from this style of government and going it on their own. They feel that they are getting more support in regard to the federal government and recognition of their rights as aboriginal people in this country. Yet, from this government's perspective, that I have, is they do not feel sincere that these people are able to take care of themselves. Until that attitude changes in regard to this department and allowing the aboriginal people to identify those problem areas, allow them the resources and the ability to take on those responsibilities, it is going to happen sooner or later, especially in my region, in which there is a self-government process. The more problems we see in regard to this department and how they treat the communities and the aboriginal people in the communities makes it that much easier to go it on their own.