Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, later today I will table in this House a signed copy of the Dogrib Agreement-in-Principle.
I had the pleasure of signing the agreement-in-principle on behalf of our government in a ceremony held in Rae on January 7, 2000.
Grand Chief Joe Rabesca of Rae Edzo, Chief Joseph Judas of Wekweti, Chief Archie Wetrade of Gameti and Chief Charlie Nitsiza of Wha Ti signed on behalf of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Tribal Council. The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew signed on behalf of the Government of Canada.
This agreement is the result of three years of intensive negotiations.
I want to congratulate once again all the people who made a contribution. Negotiations for the final agreement have begun and there are critical issues which still must be resolved.
The Dogrib, the Yellowknives of the Akaitcho Territory Government and the Deh Cho First Nations have important work to finish regarding boundaries or overlap agreements in traditional areas of shared usage. There are taxation issues and concerns of how the Dogrib First Nations Government will be financed.
The parties are working on the terms of a ten-year intergovernmental service agreement, which will define in some detail how programs and services in the areas of health, education and social services will be delivered to all residents of the Dogrib communities.
The Dogrib leaders would like to have a final agreement for their general assembly this August.
I can assure all of my colleagues in this House and the Dogrib leadership that this government is committed to finalizing the Dogrib Agreement as soon as possible.
It is essential that we take the time to negotiate a good agreement, an agreement that is complete and capable of being implemented to the satisfaction of all the parties.
The Dogrib, along with ourselves and the Government of Canada, are breaking new trail as we work together to achieve the first land claim and self-government agreement in the Northwest Territories.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause