Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am in receipt of Return to Written Question 5-15(4) asked by Mr. Villeneuve to the Honourable Joseph Handley, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, regarding recognition of aboriginal governments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to recognizing the inherent rights of aboriginal peoples in the Northwest Territories and supporting aboriginal governments as legitimate governments representing the aboriginal public. I believe this dedication is evident in the GNWT's participation in the negotiation of aboriginal lands, resources and self-government negotiations, as well as through the negotiation of a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement.

The GNWT is working to strengthen its support for the inherent rights of aboriginal peoples through the negotiation and implementation of aboriginal lands, resources and self-government agreements. The completed Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement, the culmination of years of negotiations between the Tlicho, Canada and the GNWT, clarifies the jurisdictions and authorities of the Tlicho governments. In addition, the GNWT continues to participate in self-government negotiations in the Beaufort-Delta with the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit, with the Sahtu Dene and Metis in the communities of Deline and Tulita, in Akaitcho process negotiations and in Metis process negotiations. The GNWT is also a party to Dehcho process negotiations. As well, the GNWT will participate in self-government negotiations with the Ernie MacDonald Land Corporation in Norman Wells and with the Sahtu Dene and Metis of Colville Lake and Fort Good Hope, once these processes begin.

In addition to the GNWT's involvement in negotiating current lands, resources and self-government agreements, and supporting their successful implementation, we are looking at ways to further strengthen the GNWT's support of the inherent rights of aboriginal peoples.

The GNWT views its relationship with aboriginal governments as an opportunity to build sustainable communities through the sharing of responsibilities and resource revenues. The GNWT pursues this goal through a number of processes, the most direct way being through lands, resources and self-government negotiations. These agreements will clarify aboriginal governments' authorities and responsibilities, as well as clarify what First Nations' interests are in relation to land.

Devolution negotiations are also being used to further the goal of building sustainable communities through the sharing of responsibilities and resource revenues. An agreement in this area will strengthen the NWT as a whole as it transfers control of northern resources to the NWT and establishes new intergovernmental relationships among NWT governments. Resource revenue sharing is expected to, in part, build the capacity of aboriginal governments to deliver programs and services.

Furthermore, the GNWT and aboriginal governments are negotiating a bilateral agreement in conjunction with a devolution and resource revenue sharing agreement. This is intended to strengthen the relationship among NWT governments and ensure we maximize resource development benefits for all northern residents by cooperating and coordinating management responsibilities on both aboriginal settlement lands and public lands.

The conclusion of devolution and lands, resources and self-government negotiations in all regions of the NWT is a high priority for our government. These processes will benefit northern aboriginal peoples, the NWT as a whole and Canada by equipping northerners with the tools to achieve a higher degree of self-reliance.