Mr. Speaker, Mahsi. My questions this morning are for Mr. Miltenberger in his capacity as the Minister for energy and natural resources in regards to the caribou strategy, Mr. Speaker. Information contained in the strategy document tells us that at least among the known harvest we're looking at a minimum of 11,000 animals. Mr. Speaker, it also tells us that at least with the best information we have, and some of this information is eight or 10 years old, it also tells us that existing herds in the NWT probably number around 600,000. So something that's plain to me is that we are not in a panic or emergency situation. But paying attention to what seems to be rapidly declining numbers is, as I said earlier in my statement, a good position to take.
Now, long-term measures continue to be worked out. In the meantime, the government has taken some steps as precautionary measures. One of them, Mr. Speaker, is that a bulls-only harvest restriction has been imposed on all residents and sport hunters. Mr. Speaker, the question that I'd like to ask regards whether this restriction also applies to aboriginal harvesters, who I know, and understand, are covered under some land claim agreements. But, Mr. Speaker, if it makes good sense to protect the cows at this time, why is it or how will aboriginal harvesters be considering whether or not this kind of restriction should apply among themselves, as well, Mr. Speaker?