Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Dogrib land claim and self-government negotiations have been going on for close to ten years now. According to media reports, negotiators are on the verge of making an important step. I understand the next important step is the initialling by the negotiators for the three parties, the Dogrib, the GNWT, and the Government of Canada. Once a final agreement is initialled, each of the three parties will be recommending the Dogrib Agreement to their respective associations.
The government negotiators will seek the approval of their legislators. The Dogrib negotiators will bring the agreement to their people for a vote. The Dogrib negotiators have said that they would like to initial the final agreement at the 11th Dogrib Assembly in Wha Ti this coming August.
The Dogrib Agreement includes land ownership and self-government powers. It will be the first of its kind in the Northwest Territories. It will be a reality in the Northwest Territories and within Canada as a whole.
Finally, this meeting will mark an historical moment for the Dogrib as well as for the Northwest Territories. Political direction and support is needed to guide the territorial negotiators through this critical period. At the appropriate time, I will have questions for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause