Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during our last session, on the occasion of a visit by Dwight Dorey, President of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, I made a statement about this government's work with the national aboriginal organizations.
In that statement I outlined how we have participated with the other territories, the provinces, the federal government and the national aboriginal organizations to establish an ongoing process for regular meetings of Ministers and aboriginal leaders, and to cooperatively undertake practical initiatives.
Mr. Speaker, I also committed that I would update the Members of this House and the public after I had met again with my colleagues. It is my pleasure to do so today.
The latest meeting of the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Aboriginal Affairs with the leaders of the five national aboriginal organizations occurred on May 10th and 11th in Winnipeg.
At the meeting, we reviewed and endorsed a report entitled Strengthening Aboriginal Participation in the Economy. The report outlines the barriers and challenges to aboriginal involvement in the economy. It reviews the opportunities for federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as those for aboriginal communities, institutions and governments; and it focuses on the need for engaging the private sector. The report
speaks to the importance of natural resource development to aboriginal participation in the economy.
Mr. Speaker, later today it will be my pleasure to table this report in the House. The next steps for this report will be the development of a communication plan, as well as an implementation plan to select and act on options we identified for immediate initiatives. For instance, we will now consider presenting the report to other multilateral and multi-sectoral national forums, such as meetings of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for other portfolios. We will also look at ways to engage the private sector through conferences with business leaders and by examining options for recognizing and celebrating aboriginal entrepreneurial accomplishments.
I am also pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, that during our Winnipeg meeting, in addition to dealing with the report, Ministers and leaders committed to a National Aboriginal Youth Conference to be held in Edmonton from October 26th to 28th. The conference represents the priority and importance we as Ministers and leaders wish to put on aboriginal youth issues. The conference is our opportunity to receive direct input from young aboriginal people into our work -- particularly the National Aboriginal Youth Strategy we endorsed in 1999 and upon which I have reported previously to this House.
Mr. Speaker, Government of the Northwest Territories involvement with the other jurisdictions and the aboriginal organizations in this multilateral, collaborative process is an important aspect of playing our role on the national political stage. Primarily, however, it represents our continuing commitment to help others bring national awareness to aboriginal issues. I believe that NWT people have much to offer our brothers and sisters throughout this country, and I look forward to keeping the Members and the public apprised of our activities. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.