Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today regarding the Gwich'in people and the Gwich'in tribal council and the Gwich'in land claim agreement. If people do not know, today is the Gwich'in holiday in which April 22, 1992, is when the Gwich'in comprehensive land claim agreement was signed by the Gwich'in tribal council and the Governments of the Northwest Territories and Canada in Fort McPherson. Since then, Mr. Speaker, a lot has happened regarding the land claims proceedings in which they have established land claim institutions, they have provided the Gwich'in with a land base and certain land management rights and they are also presently negotiating the self-government agreement process. As well, they established institutions under those claims regarding the Gwich'in Cultural Society, the Tl'oondih Healing Society and Raven Resource Councils in their communities. One thing that I have noted, Mr. Speaker, in this House where I have made a lot of statements on behalf of the constituents I represent and also the land claim groups, the Inuvialuit and the Gwich'in, where I find that there is still is a lot of work to be done to ensure those land claim agreements are implemented and carried forth.
Mr. Speaker, I made comments in this House about the Tl'oondih Healing Society, the question about economic measures of the Gwich'in land claim agreement, participation in the Inuvialuit agreement and also certain rights that pertain to the aboriginal organizations to be involved in what this government does regarding economic changes in this government and the question about the Northern Accord process.
Mr. Speaker, I stand here proud to be a Gwich'in but also proud of the success that has been made to date by the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the people of the Mackenzie Delta and especially the Gwich'in leaders that have brought the land claim to where it is today. There is still a lot of work to do, Mr. Speaker, so I challenge this government to continue to work hand in hand with this organization. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause