Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it was with great pleasure I received news from Ottawa yesterday that Bill C-14, the Tlicho Land Claims and Self-Government Act, had received third and final reading in the Senate and was given Royal Assent.
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Mr. Speaker, this bill is the result of over a decade of hard work by negotiators, chiefs, elders and the Tlicho people. It represents the vision held by Chief Monfwi at the signing of Treaty 11 in 1921 and sets a new standard for land claims and self-government agreements in Canada.
Yesterday's announcement was an historic one for the Tlicho. I understand that more than 70 Tlicho people witnessed yesterday's event and celebrated almost immediately, with a rousing tea dance on Parliament Hill.
Bill C-14 will now come into force at a date set by a federal Order in Council after consultation with the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council and our government.
When it does, 39,000 square kilometres of land -- the largest single block of land owned by First Nations in Canada -- will be under the rightful control of the Tlicho people. As well, the Tlicho people will take the next step toward self-determination, towards building a future that ensures their culture, their language and their communities will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come.
The passage of Bill C-14 sends a message across the country that governments are committed to establishing a new relationship with aboriginal governments based on mutual respect and recognition.
It provides certainty for all levels of government and industry with respect to lands, resources, governance and jurisdiction and paves the way to a strong economic future for the Tlicho region, the Northwest Territories and all Canadians.
It also illustrates what we can accomplish when we work together. The Tlicho agreement is the product of a comprehensive and collaborate negotiation process between the Tlicho, Canada and the Northwest Territories.
I am honoured to have been part of this process. I was proud to represent the Members of this Legislative Assembly in speaking in support of this bill in Ottawa.
But, Mr. Speaker, our job in this Legislative Assembly is not done. I am hopeful in the coming days we will complete the final piece of the legislative puzzle necessary to ratify the Tlicho agreement by passing the Tlicho Community Services Agency Act.
Before I end, I want to acknowledge again the hard work and dedication of the Tlicho, the GNWT and federal negotiating teams. I would like to recognize and thank our Member of Parliament, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, and our Senator, Nick Sibbeston, for their unwavering support for the passage of Bill C-14.
Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the Tlicho people on this historic accomplishment. Mahsi cho.
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