Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as elected leaders in this House we are entrusted by our constituents to improve their quality of life and to plan for the future. In order to do this, we must remain committed to working with each other and with aboriginal leaders.

At the national level, we must remain committed to working with members of provincial and territorial governments, with Members of the Canadian Parliament and with national aboriginal leaders.

Recently one of these leaders, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Matthew Coon Come, spoke out strongly on one of the most important issues facing aboriginal people in Canada -- health and living conditions. Yesterday I tabled his remarks made at a national health conference. He spoke about the need for all of us as individuals and as governments to take responsibility and to make a difference.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share a few perspectives on these issues and highlight the leadership role we are taking here in the Northwest Territories to address the needs of our residents.

National Chief Coon Come's remarks entitled, First Nations Health: Our Voice, Our Decisions, Our Responsibility, focused on the challenging health and living conditions faced by many aboriginal people across Canada. He urges that these conditions be improved with haste to avoid the costs of not taking action. He stresses the need for people to take control of their own lives and the shared responsibility with government to take practical and concrete action.

Mr. Speaker, aboriginal people in the NWT face some of the challenges of which the national chief spoke. This is evidenced by the discussions we have with our constituents, in our ongoing relationships with NWT aboriginal leaders and by the issues that have been raised in this House. I am confident that we are tackling these challenges head on -- we have been making a difference. We are assisting our people in achieving a better standard of living. Our goal is that they will be better off in the future than on the day we were elected.

The national chief's call for action in such a forceful and straightforward manner should be commended. I remain committed to working with him and other leaders in Canada to take this action. This is what we are doing in the Northwest Territories and we will increase our efforts at every opportunity.

Finally, Mr. Speaker, the national chief welcomed the message sent in the recent Throne Speech to Parliament, a message that an intensive effort will be made to achieve social justice for aboriginal people. I can assure you that the Government of the Northwest Territories is ready and willing to work with the federal government and aboriginal governments in support of these efforts. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause