An important aspect of building momentum has been the new relationship with aboriginal governments that is developing -- a relationship which is long overdue.

Mr. Speaker, the first meeting of the newly established Intergovernmental Forum took place in Hay River on May 5. This forum -- created jointly by Canada, the GNWT and the aboriginal governments of the NWT as the first government-to-government-to-government forum in the country -- was an historic gathering.

The forum has brought together the political leaders of the Northwest Territories, representing the federal, territorial and aboriginal governments. Representatives at Hay River included: the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development; our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew; Senator Nick Sibbeston; a number of former GNWT Premiers and Cabinet Ministers, together with many of the Members of this 14th Legislative Assembly and Cabinet; as well as the aboriginal leaders from each of the regions.

The breadth of this leadership base and its depth of experience are important because they indicate the interest and support for moving forward on key territorial issues. The very existence of the forum is a step forward in the political evolution of the Northwest Territories and a recognition that we cannot make progress unless we find a way to work together in an atmosphere of trust and respect.

The federal, territorial and aboriginal leaders have agreed to use the forum to build a common vision for the Northwest Territories and to discuss territorial-wide issues such as resource-revenue sharing and building capacity for aboriginal governments.

The Intergovernmental Forum provides an arena for NWT governments to participate as equal partners in discussion and decision-making. In the forum, we expect to focus on matters such as:

• • the ways in which intergovernmental relationships will change as land claims, self-government and aboriginal rights negotiations are settled in the NWT;
• • how resource revenues will be shared between the federal, aboriginal and territorial governments;
• • the devolution to the North of the resource management responsibilities currently exercised by Canada;
• • economic development initiatives, including the development of a Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline; and
• • capacity building for aboriginal governments.

I want to stress that while the goodwill and spirit of cooperation around the Intergovernmental Forum table is encouraging, the process we are jointly developing is still fragile. It will need nurturing and care in order to flourish. I would ask for support and patience from each of you. Please recognize that we are working hard to overcome the obstacles that have divided us in the past, in order to forge a new and stronger bond. It will take some time to build the necessary trust and confidence of the parties in the forum process.

The Government of the Northwest Territories looks forward to the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Forum, which we hope will take place in the autumn.