Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, a number of years ago in 1993, when I was a member of the North's esteemed press corps.

-- Interjection

-- Laughter

Did I say something? I covered the signing of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement-in-Principle in Iqaluit. I recall a remarkable atmosphere of pride and accomplishment shared by young and old, Inuit and Kabloona in the Iqaluit high school that day.

On May 6th of this year, Mr. Speaker, I attended the signing of the Smith's Landing First Nation Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement, in which, after 101 years, the Crown fulfilled the promises made in 1899 with Treaty 8.

As in Iqaluit, the same sense of pride and accomplishment swelled the walls of the small community centre at Fort Fitzgerald, as officials from the federal, territorial and provincial governments saluted the determination, leadership and integrity of the Fort Fitzgerald leaders, especially negotiator Francois Paulette and his brother, Chief Gerry Paulette, in achieving their goal. This is yet one more indication of the progress being made among northern people.

Not long ago, Mr. Speaker, support for First Nations claims was seen by many as a hindrance to the process of modernizing the North. However, today I believe that attitude has changed and continues to evolve. It goes beyond entrenching the rights of aboriginal people in the Canadian constitution. It is a process that I believe, over time, requires changing our own individual values to see the future, not relive the past.

The legacy we owe our children, Mr. Speaker, is to continue to negotiate the differences, values and priorities we have across the cultures of the North and create a foundation our children can use to build their own vision of a healthy, prosperous and united Northwest Territories. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause