Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to speak about the draft devolution resource revenue sharing deal.

Imagine my surprise that parts of this significant landmark for the Northwest Territories was quoted on CBC last Friday. Imagine, we could be at the very brink of moving closer to a provincial type of

government and we don’t know yet 100 percent if all the aboriginal governments are on side with us. Are we going to initial this historical deal with or without them? Is this not a hassle-free approach to becoming a legitimate-sized government? Will this approach leave out the recognitions of aboriginal governments? I hear the drums beating.

How is this going to affect our relationship with the aboriginal governments in the North in regard to the treaties, the land claims, and the self-government negotiations? Where is the written confirmation that our aboriginal governments are partners and in support of this deal? Imagine the power of having all the aboriginal governments and this public government initial this agreement. We’ll be speaking with one voice, no question about it.

We have a chance to bring everyone under one tent. No one has to be left out or separate from this deal. We cannot take the “do alone” approach. We all have people in our communities for the very first time hearing about some of the details, thanks to CBC. These people are concerned about how this will play out in their lives. Do we not want them to know the details of their lives and their children’s children’s lives that will be altered?

We strive to be both an accountable and transparent government. Why are we doing this in a manner that looks like a backroom deal? We must be up front and honest in our dealings. We need to listen to our people. We have a responsibility to our northern counterparts to include them in our discussions. Isn’t that one of our goals: a strong and independent North built on partnership? We see beyond our lives and know for certain that when we all have governments on equal ground we stand a chance to make great waves on the lives of the people in the North. United we stand, divided we fall; and fall we will should we proceed without our partnership with the aboriginal governments.

I will state again, as many of my colleagues have done time and time again, about accountability and transparency. I say, Mr. Premier, give the people the respect and dignity to have a say in their destiny.