Thank you. I just wanted to take time to applaud and recognize the incredible leadership that the Inuit have shown, not only to their own constituents, but to all aboriginal people across this country and across the world for that matter. They have demonstrated an incredible level of leadership that I think we should all recognize over the next few days. They demonstrated a vision and a determination and purpose that I do not know that we will ever see demonstrated again at that scale in this country for some time. I would like to applaud the way in which they managed their political and constitutional issues. In 1981, the Inuit leaders asked the Dene and Metis to vote in support of the concept of division and we did that.
Since 1981, they have been working with a single purpose of resolving all outstanding issues in the area of the land claims.
Since 1981, they settled their claim, resolved a boundary, the single longest boundary in the world I believe, through political agreement. They have used their time since 1981 to push their agenda for a Nunavut government through to federal legislation which will be enacted, and we will see the creation of a Nunavut government next week on April 1st. I want to recognize again the incredible leadership that the Inuit have shown since 1981 and getting their agenda done. Clearly articulating what it is they wanted to do and being very result oriented and practical about what it is they wanted to do, what it was they needed in being able to achieve it. They have managed to settle a single land claim for their entire territory. They have been able to achieve a government for themselves which they will use for the betterment of their people for some years to come. People like Mr. Amagoalik, Mr. Kusugak, Mr. Eetoolook, some of the leaders that I think, elected Members of the Nunavut Legislature will need to build a strong working relationship. That again is going to be the key to seeing a good strong future for the people of Nunavut. Thank you very much. Mahsi.
--Applause