Mr. Speaker, listening to a lot of the comments I have heard regarding this proposed amendment to the Wildlife Act has left me torn. Torn, Mr. Speaker, between my cultural background -- that of my father, who is a hunter and trapper, and has done well in that area. Torn between the history I have as an Inuvialuit and that of my children, who are moving forward in a more modern era. They love to travel the land and hunt and fish.

Mr. Speaker, it is something that we have to consider as a very serious issue. It is unfortunate that we find ourselves at times making these decisions that seemingly pit one group against another, being aboriginal and non-aboriginal, as this bill seems to do. I do not think that is the intention, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we have heard of the timing of the Wildlife Act and that process is ongoing. In fact, during the business plan reviews that were tabled in this House, I think it identifies that it would be concluded in about 2003, which is at the end of our mandate. There is no guarantee there that it will be dealt with during this Assembly.

I know the Wildlife Act amendments were raised during the 13th Assembly for a different reason; in the area of this government moving forward on the wishes of the aboriginal groups, who had concerns that this government was not implementing what has been put forward in the land claims agreements.

Mr. Speaker, I have tried to weigh this as it first came up in first reading and the Member approached me on this issue. I spoke to a number of people back home. I have heard the comments that some Members have raised here, that there is a process. The Wildlife Act amendment is under review by the department. Let that go its process. In fact, as we heard from the Member for Nunakput, this has been an ongoing discussion for decades.

Mr. Speaker, I do not take lightly what we must do as Members of this Assembly and how we must proceed. That is why it is very difficult, but I understand that we will, from time to time, have to make some decisions. I understand as well that we are at the process where we decide if we go to the standing committee stage. If this passes, we will go to the standing committee, which I would be involved with, along with other Members of this House. All Members would have an opportunity to take part in that process to one degree or another.

It is a decision of whether we stop it here or move forward to the next level to get more input.

One of the things I have to look back on, Mr. Speaker, is a commitment I made to the people who elected me, to afford me the opportunity to be in this forum. One of the things, Mr. Speaker, that I made a commitment to in the very first election I ever took part in, was that I would treat everyone with an open mind, no matter where they come from, what their cultural background is, if they are employed or unemployed, young or old. I said if you come to my office, I will treat you with due respect.

So I find this draws me to the commitment I made to my constituents of Inuvik, that I would take all aspects fairly and weigh them evenly.

Mr. Speaker, I find myself at this time in a position where I think there is a need to go to the next level, so that we could have the standing committee listen to our constituents. As Mr. Steen stated in this House, we will have to listen to those in the small communities as well, because they are the ones who are directly, every day affected by the hunting and fishing that goes on in the Northwest Territories.

Believe me, Mr. Speaker, I know making this decision will have some impact back in my community, because I have a large family, an extended family who is directly involved in the hunting and trapping tradition. In fact, many of my family right now are at the coast, whether it is Kendall Island or Whitefish Station, taking part in the seasonal whale hunting activities -- something that I have missed, Mr. Speaker, since I have become an elected Member. I have not had much opportunity to get out. I look forward to getting out this summer, though, at some point.

Mr. Speaker, it is only for the reason of going to the next level that I can support this bill. I want to hear from more of my constituents who would have a say in this process. If they come back clearly and tell me no, then that is the way I would vote on the final outcome. However, for the purposes of getting it to the next level, Mr. Speaker, and only for that, I would support this bill to go ahead to the next level.

Let no one make the mistake that I am supporting this right through to the end. I want to see it go through the due public process. With that, Mr. Speaker, I will support this on that basis and on the basis of the commitment I made to my electorate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.