Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An exciting movement is gaining momentum in Canada, growing from a seed planted right here in the Weledeh riding of Yellowknife. Weledeh and other territorial youth approached former Premier Stephen Kakfwi with a new vision for the relationship between Canada and First Nations, a chance to redefine the partnership between those

who settled here and those who welcomed them. This movement is called Canadians for a New Partnership.

Composed of exceptional leaders from across Canada, including former Prime Ministers and Premiers and obviously our own former Premier Kakfwi, national indigenous leaders, youth leaders, a former Supreme Court justice and one of Canada’s most respected auditors general, it is built on the principle that indigenous and other Canadians can together build a strong society and economy that will benefit present and future generations. It is a principle shared by a growing number of other Canadians from all walks of life, including churches, businesses, academia and the public service.

The overriding mission is to build a better and stronger Canada, and many are signing their name to a declaration pledging to do so.

Canadians for a New Partnership profess that the relationship between First Nations and mainstream Canada has reached a critical turning point. Efforts to improve the health, education and welfare of First Nations people are destined for the same failures of the past, unless we build this new partnership in a renewed spirit of trust and optimism. They believe that we must embrace the notion of partnership fully and place it at the very heart of our endeavors and not be deluded about past challenges nor deterred by present circumstances.

The movement is shepherded by the accumulated wisdom of respected leaders and driven by energetic, resourceful youth – intergenerational, cross-cultural and borderless. It bases its work on the nation-building principles recommended by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples: mutual recognition, mutual respect, mutual responsibility, and cooperation and sharing. Members, all volunteers, are committed to crafting a new level of trust between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this government’s support of these visionary Canadians and their efforts here and throughout Canada to press the reset button and begin building a new relationship based on trust and cooperation between all Canadians. Please join me in thanking them and wishing them the best of success. Mahsi.