Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are political accords signed by the GNWT and the Akaitcho chiefs to recognize that there are treaty issues which might arise in the course of the negotiations. Our government has undertaken to support the Akaitcho in these discussions on their treaty rights.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, one of the sad aspects of the Benoit decision has been a lot of negative language in the press and in the public regarding the treaty right to be free from taxation. The language has been fuelling negative comments that are hurtful. It would be prudent on the part of the Government of the Northwest Territories to undertake to implement a number of initiatives to mitigate this negative stereotyping of treaty rights.

Mr. Speaker, these negative words go far into the bureaucracy of the Government of Canada. Supreme Court Justice Beverly McLaughlin recently stated to a Canadian Club presentation that the First Nations people in Canada are conquered people. That is not the case and the Benoit decision reaffirms that particular assertion by First Nations that these treaties are peace and friendship treaties.

Mr. Speaker, I think our government could help mitigate some of these problems by developing curriculum that should be viewed with the objective of including materials related to the treaty making process in Canada and more importantly, in the Northwest Territories. All people have treaty rights within the Territory that are members of First Nations. It is by virtue of the treaty that people can live and share the resources of the Territory. These concepts of co-existence should be included in the curriculum. Any review should include the Dene people so that the product is an accurate reflection of their history and view of the treaty and history of the North.

As Judge Campbell has written that the oral testimony is an important component in this analysis of the materials placed before him, there needs to be an understanding and support for this work, Mr. Speaker, in our educational institutions. I will ask some questions of the appropriate Minister to try and clarify and ascertain the position of this government on the Benoit decision at the appropriate time. Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker.