Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Dwight Dorey, Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and the delegation from the congress are visiting Yellowknife this week.

President Dorey's visit is a good opportunity to tell the residents of the Northwest Territories and my colleagues in this Legislature about the Government of the Northwest Territories' work with aboriginal organizations at the national level.

There are five national aboriginal organizations. In addition to the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, there are:

• • The Metis National Council -- led by President Gerald Morin;
• • The Native Women's Association of Canada -- led by President Darliea Dorey;
• • The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada -- led by President Jose Kusugak
• • and the Assembly of First Nations -- led by National Chief Matthew Coon Come.

Mr. Speaker, the premiers of the provinces and territories and the leaders of these five aboriginal organizations met in 1997 and began a process to build better working relationships. In particular, they asked the Ministers responsible for aboriginal affairs in each province and territory to develop a formal and regular process with the leaders and the responsible federal Ministers.

As a result, just over a year ago, I joined the other Ministers and the leaders in formally establishing what is called "The Ongoing Process." Through the Ongoing Process, the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers and the five leaders will meet regularly to take cooperative steps to address aboriginal issues from a national perspective.

I am pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that during the first year of the Ongoing Process, Ministers and leaders have endorsed a National Aboriginal Youth Strategy that provides guidelines for all jurisdictions and organizations to use in developing programs and policies that affect aboriginal youth. A national conference is being planned to receive and incorporate input from youth about this report.

Ministers and leaders also directed our officials to jointly draft a report and recommendations on strengthening aboriginal participation in the economy. This report is nearing completion and will be reviewed during our next meeting. It is intended that the recommendations we endorse will provide guidance to the individual governments and organizations, as well as set out some concrete actions to be taken by the Ministers and leaders jointly.

Perhaps most importantly, the Ongoing Process has resulted in a dialogue between aboriginal affairs Ministers, the five leaders and the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for social policy renewal. This aspect of our work -- referred to as the Tripartite Process -- reflects our commitment to meet the demands of the aboriginal leaders for their people to be more involved in national social policy deliberations and implementation of the Social Union Framework Agreement.

Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories' role in these relationships with the national aboriginal organizations is an important one. In the Northwest Territories, we are breaking new ground in terms of setting aboriginal rights and balancing the roles and responsibilities of public government and self-government. Over the year, our unique society and population have learned lessons that are valuable to pass on to our neighbours. I want to stress that we will continue to work with all parties and play an active role in this national dialogue.

In undertaking our work with the national aboriginal organizations, I have involved the affiliated Dene, Metis and Inuvialuit territorial organizations as part of the Northwest Territories team, and we will continue to do so. In addition, through our relationship with the Northwest Territories aboriginal governments in the Intergovernmental Forum process, I have the opportunity to report this work and to hear the views of the aboriginal leaders in the Northwest Territories.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that the next Ongoing Process meeting of Ministers and leaders will be in Winnipeg during May and I will be able to update the Members and the public afterwards on the progress we make. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause