I think the challenges have been pointed out quite a number of times by Members of this Assembly, by aboriginal leadership, by people across the Northwest Territories. When it comes to dealing with Ottawa, for example, dealing with industry, dealing with our regulatory regime, there are so many levels involved in the process in the North that frustrate, confuse the industry, as well from one government to another, when decisions are being made by those who do not live in the North, that have a direct impact on our day to day lives. Those are things that we need to deal with. Recognizing that some of the groups in the past were not prepared to have the discussions because they were in very early stages of self-government talks, and there was the Tlicho self-government put in place, that caused many to be apprehensive about a constitutional discussion.
So the idea that I put forward to the regional leadership was a political development forum and that is recognizing the roles that we have in place today. Once we map out that for ourselves in the Northwest Territories, then I believe down the road the constitutional process can be one that is much clearer.
Now, I applaud National Dene Chief Erasmus for his work in pursuing a timeline. I think that’s even something we could look at at the northern leaders table, is a timeline for a political development forum. Things are going to change in the Northwest Territories. That is a reality and we need to catch up with the times and move with that.
So there are many challenges and that’s why I’ve asked Members to be a part of the political development forum as we go forward. Thank you.