Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the caribou are a precious natural resource, a gift to all northerners, and are essential to aboriginal life and cultures;

AND WHEREAS the caribou are among the last and largest free-roaming herds of animals on the Earth;

AND WHEREAS all northern people accept their role to act together as responsible stewards of all living things;

AND WHEREAS the people of the North want to ensure the survival and strength of the caribou for generations to come;

AND WHEREAS the combined impact of mineral development, ice roads, unrestricted harvesting practices, sport and commercial harvesting, predation, insects and climate change are causing unprecedented pressure on the caribou;

AND WHEREAS the caribou populations of the NWT have been found to be in dramatic decline;

AND WHEREAS the North's leaders, regulators, scientists and harvesters, at the Inuvik Caribou Summit in January 2007, have concluded that decisive action must be taken urgently;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that this Legislative Assembly endorses the recommendations of the January 2007 Inuvik Caribou Summit;

AND FURTHER that this Legislative Assembly recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories adhere to the regulatory processes and jurisdictions of the wildlife co-management boards, and the spirit and intent of provisions respecting wildlife in all Northwest Territories land claim agreements and self-government agreements;

AND FURTHERMORE that this Legislative Assembly recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories work with the Government of Nunavut to protect caribou calving and migration routes;

AND FURTHERMORE that this Legislative Assembly recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories ensure that the Government of Canada fulfills its fiduciary obligations in respect of Crown lands and wildlife management.

Mr. Speaker, thank you.