Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to talk about the importance of self-determination and the role of self-government in creating a strong and vibrant future for the communities of the Northwest Territories, specifically, Mr. Speaker, the Deline Got'ine Government.

On March 12, 2014, eligible voters overwhelmingly approved the Deline Final Self-Government Agreement. Mr. Speaker, 84 percent of the eligible voters said yes.

In September 2015, the Deline First Nation, the Deline Land Corporation, and the Deline Charter Community began the process of preparing on coming together underneath the Deline Got'ine Government structure.

The Deline Got'ine Government began operating on September 1, 2016, Mr. Speaker. This is the government that elders envisioned.

Today, Mr. Speaker, the Deline Got'ine Government is working with the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Government of Canada to implement self-government. The Deline Got'ine Government is an inclusive government that respects and serves all residents of the community. Their vision is to be able to provide quality programs and services to their own people. They are working with both governments of the NWT and Canada to do just that.

Mr. Speaker, part of self-determination is being responsible, building government-to-government relationships. Given this, the DGG is pursuing a bilateral relationship with the Government of the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, a memorandum of understanding between the Deline Got'ine Government and the GNWT is the logical first step. It will create the space for important issues such as caribou management and many others at the highest levels of leadership. The GNWT's own Respect, Recognition, and Responsibility Document commits the government to negotiating and signing these agreements.

Later, Mr. Speaker, I will have progress questions of the Deline Got'ine Government and GNWT bilateral agreement to the Premier. Mahsi.