Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question falls in line with Mr. Erasmus' questions and concerns because I have the same concern in regard to the way aboriginal organizations are being treated, in light of this government establishing, as one of areas as priorities, that we do recognize aboriginal self-government. We do recognize the uniqueness of aboriginal groups and what role they have to play in the north, but when it comes to delivering programs on behalf of this government, they seem to not fit in the category as one of the levels of government that presently is being recognized elsewhere.

I would like to ask the Minister, is there any attempt to consider looking at the policy regarding the way aboriginal organizations are being allowed to deliver programs on behalf of their membership and also exactly what class do they fit in? You have no problems giving it to municipalities, towns and villages, but when it comes to the large aboriginal centres, such as Yellowknife, where you have one of the largest aboriginal communities in the Northwest Territories, there seems to be a real problem with delivering programs solely on the groups or organizations that an individual may be recognized as, Metis, Dene or Inuit. I would like to ask the Minister, are they considering revising the policy in light of the stand that this government is taking toward aboriginal people and how we recognize them as a unique and fundamental level of government in the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Krutko, could you indicate to me which particular item you were addressing the question on?

All of them, especially community empowerment and community wellness.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ng.

Thank you, Mr. Ng. Mr. Krutko.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think it is a

question of large urban centres such as Inuvik, Hay River and Fort Smith, where basically you have a large aboriginal population which consists of three different groups. You might have the Inuvialuit, the Gwich'in, the Dogrib and other groups within large centres, but I think that clients who the municipality serves and the programs that are delivered for aboriginal people, especially when you talk about the whole motion of healing people and trying to be self-sufficient and improving the lives of people, it seems like it is always the aboriginal people who are the ones who find themselves at the bottom of the list in regard to how they are able to take responsibilities for themselves. We are always putting the onus on the government to do things, but when aboriginal organizations ask to take on these responsibilities, they are always put in the notion, well, we know what is best for you and basically, we will do it with the government structure that is in place. There is also another level of government structure that has been in communities since the treaties were signed, which are aboriginal bands, Metis locals, Inuit organizations have been here, in some cases, hundreds of years. Yet, we do not today, recognize those groups as an institution in regard to how they are able to govern themselves. Yet the federal government is able to give them millions of dollars to run programs and services from the federal government, no problem at all. When it comes to this government, it seems like it is the last group that they can trust to do anything for themselves. Yet, they will pour the money into the municipalities, but when it comes to aboriginal groups, they seem to have the toughest time to get any money to deliver programs on behalf of their membership. With those comments, is there a policy in place that streamlines exactly what role this government, is there a different policy for every department or is it the same policy right through this government? That flows right from the Premier's office to the Executive to Cabinet and then into this Legislature. Why in one group they have no problem dealing with aboriginal groups and yet through another group, like this department, it seems like it is a can do where they cannot do it. They already have a regime in place, but they will not recognize aboriginal institutions. Is there a policy that will streamline this so that they are recognized in all departments?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Mr. Ng.

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.

I would like to ask the Minister, is it possible that an aboriginal group like the Gwich'in can deliver these programs and services by themselves without going through municipalities?

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Ramsden.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsden. I directed the question toward you because it was your response the Member was asking the question to. Mr. Erasmus, do you want to repeat your question?

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Mr. Ramsden.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsden. Mr. Erasmus.