Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with today being National Aboriginal Day, I think it is important that we take the time to realize the importance aboriginal people and the cultures of the aboriginal groups in the North have played in our history. We also must realize the importance of preserving and protecting those cultures.
From the Beaufort Sea all the way to the Alberta border, aboriginal people make up a large portion of our population. The majority of the communities we represent are aboriginal communities.
In order to recognize the work aboriginal people have done in the North and across Canada, I feel that we should do more than just recognize a day such as today as National Aboriginal Day. We have people within the workforce who cannot take today off because it is not a civic holiday.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Premier if he is willing to bring forth legislation to declare June 21st a statutory holiday, so people in the North could take the time to enjoy the cultural activities that are happening today in recognition of First Nations people in the North.
I would recommend to this House that we also consider shutting the House down for the day, to show respect to the First Nations people of the Northwest Territories and across Canada.
Can the Premier tell me if he is willing to consider bringing forth such legislation?