Thank you, Mr. Chair. Similarly, I am wondering why special events funding to Aboriginal organizations has had a considerable decline over the past couple of years. In 2014-15, the actual spending was $139,000 and we're projecting this year $50,000. I wonder if we can get an explanation from the Minister. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would ask you, through you, Richard Robertson, please.

Thank you. Mr. Robertson?

Thank you, Mr. Robertson. Mr. Vanthuyne, anything further?

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for the explanation. Further to that, and to the previous speaker's points around the Inspire Awards, Mr. Chair, we are aware of the efforts and the kind contribution of Mr. Arnold Witzig and his wife, the founders of the Arctic Inspiration Prize. You know, they fund purely Northern people with ideas and innovation that benefits the North. I believe this Government has stated in the past that we are going to be a supporting partner for Arctic Inspiration. I know it's not in here; I'm just trying to get a sense of is that, in fact, the case that the government will be a supporting partner of the Arctic Inspiration Prize? If so, to what amount? And if so, where do I find it in the budget? I know that that's not specific to this department, but it's because I really don't know where else it would be, and so I take this opportunity to ask. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Certainly the Arctic Inspiration Prize is a very wonderful project, and one that certainly promotes the North, and we are very pleased to be part of it. You won't find it in the main estimates because funding has not been approved as of yet. We have indicated we will be looking to find ways to fund, see if we can find money to contribute a small portion in relation to the prize money that is given out to all the Northern territories. It would be a very small amount compared to the large sum that is given out, but we have committed to look for additional resources so we could contribute. It’s not part of the main estimates. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Mr. Vanthuyne.

Well, I appreciate the Minister's reply and I certainly look forward to the efforts that we can hopefully find the means within our fiscal ability to support Arctic Inspiration prize, because although the prize money is donated by philanthropists and what have you, there's a lot of administrative support required and I think that that's where our dollars are required. Those are just comments. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Vanthuyne. I'll give Premier McLeod a chance to respond to the comments if he wishes.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, we share those views. Thank you.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Are there any further comments on page 30? If not, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, corporate management, operations expenditure summary, activity total, $3.873 million. Does committee agree?

Agreed. Moving on to page 31, which I believe is an information item supplementing the previous page. Are there any questions on page 31? Seeing none. Moving on to page 32; another information item; corporate management, active positions. Any questions or comments? Seeing none. Moving on to page 34, Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations implementation operations expenditure summary. Are there any comments or questions on this page? Seeing none. Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, implementation operations expenditure summary, activity total $553,000.

Committee agrees. The next page, page 35, implementation, active positions. It's an information item. Are there any questions or comments on this page? Seeing none. Moving on to page 37, intergovernmental relations, operations expenditure summary. Page 37. Comments or questions from committee? None. Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, intergovernmental relations operations, expenditure summary, activity total, $1.930 million. Does committee agree?

Committee agrees. Moving on. Page 38 is an information item. Are there any questions or comments on page 38? Seeing none. Moving on to page 39, another information item. Are there any questions? No comments or questions. Moving on to page 41, negotiations, operations expenditure summary. Comments or questions? Mr. Nadli.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the spirit of trying to advance the Iand claims and self-government negotiations forward, especially with the outstanding regions, I just wanted to understand. It states within, at least the departmental business plans, that there will be an effort to revisit the negotiations mandate, and these are the mandates that, you know, guides the negotiators at the table. I want to understand, in terms of the negotiations to mandate for the GNWT that we bring to perhaps, you know, the Dehcho First Nations table or the Tlicho table or else the negotiations with the Metis, when was the negotiations, the last time that they were updated? Mahsi.

Premier McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 2011. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Premier McLeod. Mr. Nadli.