Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It stated in the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs establishment policy, the mandate of the Minister and the ministry is to protect, develop and promote the interest of the territorial government and the residents of the Northwest Territories in negotiations and implementation of land claims, self-government and treaty entitlement agreements. The political and constitutional development of the western Northwest Territories in developing and maintain mutual beneficial working relationships with the aboriginal leaderships.
I note the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs is not the only arm of the GNWT participating in negotiating tables, but Mr. Speaker, I note the mandate for negotiations and implementations of land claims, self-government and treaty entitlement agreements for the Northwest Territories lies exclusively with the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.
This calls to question why the other arms of governments are participating. Mr. Speaker, there are seven active negotiating tables the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is participating in. I would assume each chief negotiator has a certain amount of authority when they participate in negotiations. Could the Minister outline for the House the authority or mandate that each chief negotiator for the seven tables has?