Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about land claims within the North Slave region. Mr. Speaker, we have been informed that the Dogrib Treaty 11 people will be signing an agreement-in-principle soon. They are to be congratulated for this. It is a lot of work. I believe it is a new type of claim that is the first of its kind, it not only includes land claims but aspects of self-government as well. Mr. Speaker, there is a problem, however, in that the Dogrib Treaty 11 settlement area boundaries includes a lot of territory of their neighbours. This includes the people from the Deh Cho and from the Akaitcho territory.

In the Yellowknives First Nations instance, their communities of Detah and Ndilo are actually within the settlement boundaries. It also extends to the south shores of Great Slave Lake. Last year the chief from Fort Resolution indicated that when they wanted to do something in the river flowing into Great Slave Lake, the renewable resources people told them they had to consult with the Dogrib Tribal Council first. This was very embarrassing. Mr. Speaker, land claims have such things as management boards, wildlife boards, water boards, land boards and they have a great influence over the policies, laws and programs in these particular areas. That influence extends to all parts of the land and waters within the settlement area. All first nations usually celebrate when a land claim is finalized and even when an agreement-in-principle is signed. In this instance, unless a boundary is established between the Dogrib Treaty 11 people and their neighbours before their agreement-in-principle is signed, the only ones celebrating will be Dogrib Treaty 11. Their neighbours may be preparing a law- suit. Thank you.

--Applause