Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues. In regard to how these agreements are going to be finalized we have to establish a table to sit down and negotiate with Aboriginal First Nations. The Inuvialuit and the Gwich'in are the regions I represent. They are in the process of negotiating a self-government agreement. They want to know exactly how are they going to have access to the resources in their jurisdictions, in the Beaufort Delta, so that we know that we will be able to arrive at some financial arrangement between the First Nation People, the developers and also know that we will be able to use some of those resources for our self-government programs and services. I think it is essential that this government, on one hand they can say they are showing that aboriginal rights are being negotiated, and they are also saying that the Government of the Northwest Territories is moving forward on the position of these negotiations and also concluding these agreements.

The Inuvialuit signed their agreement in 1984 to establish the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, 1984, that is 25 years ago, excuse me, that is 15 years ago. In regard to the Gwich'in they signed their agreement off in April 22, 1992. That is seven years ago. Now you have the Dogrib coming forth with an agreement-in-principle. These land claim agreements are constitutionally protected agreements. They are there to ensure that the people know that these rights are there for the First Nation people. This government refuses to conclude commitments that they have made in these land claim agreements and the government is going off negotiating agreements with other jurisdictions in Canada without concluding its obligations to the Aboriginal First Nation people of this land.

I find it pretty sad. On the one hand we are saying we are working in partnership with the aboriginal people, but not living up to the commitments that we make to these First Nations People. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause