Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to talk about the newest park that we have in the Northwest Territories, or the country, I guess. Thaidene Nene means the land of our ancestors. On August 20th, we flew from here to Yellowknife with a group of people from Parks Canada, from the federal government, and from the Government of the Northwest Territories to sign an agreement. I wasn't a signatory, but for the signature to be signed by the NWT Metis Government and NWT Metis Nation in Fort Resolution. It was a very beautiful event.
The people from the Metis Nation arrived in Fort Resolution from both Fort Smith and Hay River to show their support. The presidents were there. The president of the NWT Metis Nation was also there. It was quite an event. They had thanked the people in Lutselk'e who had been working on this file for many years, 50 years, actually. Apparently, the first indication that the government and the people of Lutselk'e wanted to see that area of our country protected was back in 1969. It was a nice event.
The following day, on August 21, 2019, we again flew from here with a group of people. We flew into Lutselk'e. People from the Deninu Ku'e First Nation, the chief, and some of his membership and some of his counsellors were also there to sign with the Lutselk'e First Nation, the Government of the Northwest Territories' represented by the honourable Member from Inuvik Twin Lakes, R.C. McLeod. Also, the federal government had Catherine McKenna there signing. She is the Minister of Environment, Minister responsible for Parks.
Again, it was a beautiful event. After we were coming back to Yellowknife, Minister McLeod and I were having a short discussion. He indicated to me, and I felt the same way. We had no idea of the huge significance of the Thaidene Nene and how hard they have worked it, how long they have worked for it until you are actually there to see all of the people and how happy people were, the cheering. We had a full house. Just about everyone in the community was there to wish the people well who were now going to be responsible for protecting that area. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.