Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Gwich'in, the Inuvialuit, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories for the next big step towards concluding self-government, which is the signing of the agreement-in-principle in Inuvik this Sunday.
Mr. Speaker, the Gwich'in and the Inuvialuit have asked Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories to negotiate self-government agreements and because of those provisions, self-government is possible through the Gwich'in Land Claim Agreement and the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. The Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories have recognized aboriginal people have that so-called inherent right to self-government, which is guaranteed in the Canadian constitution. That means that they agree that aboriginal people have the legal right to govern themselves.
I have been involved in the land claims process for many years and have seen the Mackenzie Delta and Beaufort Sea evolve over time to where we are ready for self-government. We have the institutions. We have the economic base and we have the people to take it on.
Mr. Speaker, it is an important day and time, not only for the Gwich'in, the Inuvialuit and our governments, but it is an important time in history for Canada to recognize the First Nations people who had government institutions long before the contact with the Europeans. I for one feel that it is time that we took that next step and gave the people of the regions, the people of our communities, the tools and the ability to govern themselves and have a say in how programs and services are run not only here in Yellowknife or with the government institution that is here, but it has to be closer to the communities and closer to our regions in ensuring that those agreements-in-principle for self-government are implemented and lived up to.
With that, Mr. Speaker, I will be in Inuvik on Sunday for this celebration and I hope that all Ministers and Members who are able to be there attend, because this is an important time in our history, to strive for self-government and the conclusion of our land claims for the Inuvialuit and the Gwich'in. Thank you.
-- Applause