Mr. Speaker, in addition to the valuable work being done at the Intergovernmental Forum, we are continuing to build momentum with aboriginal governments through the settlement of land claims and self-government agreements.

As indicated by Minister Handley in his Budget Address yesterday, building strong partnerships with aboriginal governments is fundamental for the GNWT. Minister Handley noted that, along with the Government of Canada, the GNWT has entered into a political accord in the Beaufort Delta region with the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. This accord sets out how we will cooperate to address territorial issues of mutual concern.

Just last week the Honourable Jim Antoine, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, represented the GNWT at the signing of a political accord with the Akaitcho Dene First Nations in Lutselk'e. This bilateral accord acknowledges that our two governments have important issues of mutual concern to address and it solidifies a working relationship that will allow us to work together to resolve these issues.

On June 13th, on the occasion of the signing of the political accord, negotiators for Canada, the Akaitcho Dene First Nations and the GNWT initialled the Akaitcho Framework Agreement. It is hoped that later this summer, the Framework Agreement can be signed in conjunction with the 100th Centenary Celebrations for Treaty 8 at Deninu Ku'e.

On May 6th, the Smith's Landing First Nation held a ceremony in Fort Fitzgerald, Alberta, on the occasion of the signing of their Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement. Coming more than a century after the signing of Treaty 8 in Fort Fitzgerald, this final agreement represents over 30 years of effort by the people of the Smith's Landing First Nation to secure their land rights. I was pleased to take part in this ceremony, and I want to take this opportunity to again publicly congratulate the Smith's Landing First Nation, their chief, Gerry Paulette and their chief negotiator, Francois Paulette, on their achievement.

Mr. Speaker, the settlement of all outstanding land claims and self-government agreements with the aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories within the next ten years is a long-standing goal of this government. As I have said many times, this will provide certainty to investors with respect to land use and regulatory processes. This in turn can only contribute positively to the economic development climate in the Northwest Territories.

More importantly, however, achieving this goal represents a tangible confirmation of the rights of aboriginal people to self-government and to secure tenure over lands that they have occupied for centuries. I am pleased to be able to report that we are continuing to make progress in this important area.