Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to make a couple of comments, especially in regard to land claim and self-government negotiations.
At the beginning of the 18th Assembly, it was very strongly stated that we needed to put extra efforts in terms of concluded land claim agreements and self-government arrangements, especially with the regions that have outstanding matters that have yet to be resolved, whether it's in the realm of sovereignty jurisdiction or ownership on land rights and resources. That has been ongoing for some time, so I am encouraged to hear those words, and, yet, I remain curious as to some of the constructive milestones that we could achieve.
At this point, I understand that the ministerial special reporter for both Deh Cho and Akaitcho has concluded their report, and I understand that both the GNWT and the federal government are contemplating the next steps. So I am very optimistic that things could move forward and that we might be seeing perhaps the final stretch towards finalizing these outstanding land rights and resources in terms of the negotiations that have been going on for some time. That is not to say it will be easy.
Some positions, whether it's based on positions or interest, are very fundamental. It is rooted in terms of the oral treaties of 1921 or else 1899 Treaty 8, as well, so it goes right back to 1921. In 2021, which is four years from now, it will be 100 years since these regions entered into treaty understanding. The assertion from First Nations is that it was a peace treaty, but, at the same time, governments interpreted that, in the instant of signing the treaty, in that practice, the assertion was that you have ceded, surrendered, and extinguished your Aboriginal title and your treaty rights.
So, you know, therefore the negotiations that we currently have, that have been going on for some time, I'm hopeful that a lot of serious consideration will be made in terms of the negotiations' mandate that could probably see a breakthrough in terms of ensuring that there's fair and equitable arrangements between governments and First Nations people
In some respect, I think lots of people are kind of hoping that things could move forward because it brings a level of certainty in terms of understanding the roles of First Nations and the governments in the development stages of the Northwest Territories. I think it's in all our interests to ensure that those matters are resolved and that we move towards bringing economic wealth to the NWT and I believe those First Nations people want to play a role in that.
So if we reach that plateau of coming to a point where perhaps land claims and self-government arrangements are made with these regions that have outstanding issues, then I think the more it is for the betterment of the NWT.
At the same time, I am quite curious in terms of parties that have signed on to the Devolution Agreement. Through the Intergovernmental Council there have been efforts in terms of striking cooperation agreements with the five regions that make up the NWT, and especially the Indigenous groups or Aboriginal governments that make up the five regions.
It's clearly the intent of, you know, trying to cooperate with the GNWT and First Nations on matters that perhaps could bring some practical results, whether it's housing, whether its social issues within communities. That spirit of cooperation I think has to be held closely to the senior officials, especially the leaders from both sides, that we need to build trust and that relationship has to be stronger.
Bringing some practical or perhaps resolutions to some really hard issues that we're confronted with, especially in the small communities, in terms of whether it's social issues, some of the very deep-rooted fundamental issues such as housing needs to be resolved. I'm optimistic that these agreements that are struck between the GNWT and First Nations groups will be at least making the attempt of breaking new trail and new ground in terms of bringing some solutions to the table.
Those are just some comments that I wanted to share and I look forward to the specific matters of the details that will be reviewed. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.