Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in November of last year, the Dene Nation from one of their leadership meetings submitted a proposal from one of the recommendations from their Assembly to myself as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. They were actually requesting three positions that would provide the Dene Nation leadership with support and expertise in three critical areas. One of them was a parliamentary liaison. The other two were an education coordinator and a language and cultural coordinator. The broad purpose of these positions was to assist them in capacity development in a consistent manner to allow the Dene Nation to work in better collaboration with the Government of the Northwest Territories and other levels of government.
As you know, being in the Legislative Assembly, there is much legislation that we deal with that affects treaty people, Metis people and Inuvialuit people. As such, as much information and support as they need to be able to make informed decisions in a sensitive and positive working relationship. The overall proposed budget was a heck of a lot more than $100,000. Actually, it was about $280,000. We estimated that one-third of that would be about $100,000. The other two positions were not within the mandate of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.
In working this out, we decided that we will act on the request and see where it goes. This position would act as a liaison between the Dene Nation, which is not an aboriginal government but rather a territorial organization that represents the interests of the Dene people, the majority of whom are treaty.
The focus would be mainly on treaty related issues, to provide important information and insight for treaty people who belong to the many aboriginal governments in the Northwest Territories. It goes to all the communities right down the valley where there are treaty people and people who have ancestors of the signings of Treaty 8 and Treaty 11. The Dene Nation also plays an important role in informing and representing all of these people.
This position would act as liaison between the Dene Nation and the Government of the Northwest Territories. It will coordinate and assist in soliciting input from Dene members and leadership on the different policies and different issues that are affecting us here in the Legislative Assembly, how it affects the Dene Nation, its members and the issues raised from the Intergovernmental Forum. It would also be there to monitor and advise on new policies and legislation that are coming forward and assist in providing advice on the government processes for the purpose of input from the Dene Nation.
That is some background detail of the request for this funding. Thank you.