Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform the Legislative Assembly of the continuing progress of the Deh Cho First Nations. During the week of February 12th to 16th, 2001, the Deh Cho First Nations held their winter leadership meeting in Fort Providence.

The Dene and the Metis of the Deh Cho passed a unanimous resolution approving the initialling of the Deh Cho First Nation Formal Agreement and Interim Measures Agreement. The Deh Cho Process will result in a unique and unprecedented self-government process for the region. The government structure will be a public government based on Dene values and principles. This is a process which should be promoted and encouraged by this Legislative Assembly, as the Deh Cho Process is the route that will see the Dene and the Metis of the Deh Cho realize their rights as per the Constitution Act, 1982.

The Deh Cho leadership has passed a resolution with respect to the bidding of oil and gas exploration licenses which will ensure sustainable development of the Deh Cho lands and resources. The Deh Cho First Nations will also negotiate an Interim Resource Development Agreement that will set out benefits in the areas of royalties, resource revenues and community support.

The Deh Cho First Nations is in the process of expanding and finalizing this land-use mapping of our traditional territory. This will provide a foundation and background for future development of the Deh Cho territory. Much of this work has already been completed, however, environmental work that will give a comprehensive picture of the ecosystems needs to be done.

Together, traditional knowledge and scientific environmental study will provide a solid footing for any future development in the Deh Cho. The Deh Cho First Nations will also use mapping information to negotiate land withdrawals before moving into phase two, which will result in an agreement-in-principle and a final agreement. They will also strive to implement initiatives in the area of economic development and governance this year.

The Deh Cho First Nations sees the Aboriginal Summit and the Intergovernmental Forum as potential interference to the Deh Cho Process. They intend to observe and monitor the activities of the summit and the forum to ensure those activities do not prejudice the Deh Cho Process in any way. The Framework Agreement and Interim Measures Agreement will be signed at a public ceremony within the Deh Cho territory. The date has not been set at this point.

Mr. Speaker, Treaties 8 and 11 and the Deh Cho Declaration of 1993 confirm that the Dene and the Metis of the Deh Cho have the right to govern lands and resources of...