On May 22, the second Intergovernmental Forum took place in Inuvik. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Jim Antoine, RWED Minister Joseph Handley and I participated in this important meeting attended by aboriginal leaders from across the Northwest Territories and by the federal Minister, Robert Nault.
The Intergovernmental Forum was established as a means for allowing aboriginal governments, the federal government and the territorial government to come together to share information and to make joint decisions. It is the first and only forum of its kind in Canada -- one that respects the place of aboriginal governments as equals at the table.
Mr. Speaker, elected leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Principles at the Inuvik meeting, which will guide the relationships of the parties of the Intergovernmental Forum. This represents a significant commitment by all three parties to operate the forum on a government-to-government basis. As well, Minister Nault has reaffirmed the commitment of the federal government to this process. This process supports better governance through partnerships, a key priority of our agenda.
On the critical issue of devolution and resource revenue sharing, leaders endorsed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI). This paper sets out the objectives, principles and process for future devolution talks and includes a commitment by the parties to seek instructions and appoint negotiators by March 31, 2002.
The successful conclusion of agreements on devolution and resource revenue sharing will allow our government and aboriginal governments of the Northwest Territories full access to the substantial revenues being generated through the development of our non-renewable resources and will give us greater control over how development takes place. This is critical to helping us achieve our vision of self-sufficiency.
The Honourable Jim Antoine, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, will be providing further details on the progress made at the most recent Intergovernmental Forum meeting.