Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, would like to congratulate the Inuvialuit and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation on this important day, the fifth day of June.
Mr. Speaker, some 24 years ago the Inuvialuit of the Beaufort-Delta signed a land claim agreement with the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories. They’ve gone a long way since then. From being hunters, harvesters and caregivers of the land, they are now owners, land owners and managers. They also have control over developments that happen in the Beaufort-Delta region from their land management regimes in regard to Inuvialuit land administration through their wildlife boards, through their environmental review boards and also through land and use planning.
The land claim agreement is a devolving document. As we all know, the Inuvialuit are continuing to work on political development and also ensuring they also have a say in regard to the political devolution of what happens in the Beaufort-Delta region.
In regard to some of the major achievements they have through companies such as NTCL, Canadian North and other subsidiaries, the Inuvialuit were able to acquire, build and sustain by way of their economic arm the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. Again, Mr. Speaker, they are still working with the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories in the area of political development.
With that, I’d like to congratulate the Inuvialuit people of the Beaufort-Delta and remind them that this is your day. You have gone a long way in the last 24 years.