Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back, colleagues.
Mr. Speaker, the 2019 IRC Election for IRC Chair and CEO All Candidates Forum took place on Monday, January 28th, in Inuvik, with all 42 directors from the six Inuvialuit communities of Aklavik, Inuvik, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk, and Ulukhaktok in attendance. The event was broadcast live on Facebook and brought many of the issues that we face as a people to light, as well as all of the achievements over the last three years, looking outward to where we would like to be in the future as we make decisions for our children, our grandchildren, and future generations.
The election took place on Tuesday, January 29th, with seven prominent candidates from the IRC. Mr. Speaker, the Inuvialuit of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, through the 42 community directors, re-elected Duane Ningaqsiq Smith for another three-year term.
Mr. Speaker, the position of chair and CEO of the IRC is a tough job. Mr. Smith has championed many initiatives, such as the Inuit/Crown Partnership Committee, which I am honoured to be a part of; and direct funding agreements with the federal and territorial governments, which have brought millions of dollars for housing, health, wellness, training dollars, and environmental and wildlife conservation, to name a few. These not only benefited the ISR, Mr. Speaker, but the Northwest Territories as a whole.
Mr. Speaker, the mandate of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is to continually improve the economic, social, and cultural well-being of the Inuvialuit through the implementation of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and by all other means available.
Some corporate goals of the IRC are the representation of an advancement of Inuvialuit interests in areas of external relations, including federal, territorial, and municipal governments, circumpolar and other Aboriginal organizations, private sector, and special interest groups; the preservation and growth of the financial compensation flowing from the IFA; and the distribution of accumulated wealth to beneficiaries.
Mr. Speaker, 2019 will mark the 35th anniversary of the signing of the IFA, celebrating the elders who had the vision for the future of the Inuvialuit and celebrating the many Inuvialuit successes.
Mr. Speaker, I stress that the GNWT must work proactively with Indigenous governments for similarly beneficial results.
Mr. Speaker, once again I would like to congratulate Mr. Duane Ningaqsiq Smith as chair and CEO, working toward our own self-determination, and all the best for the next three years and beyond. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.