Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I would like to first thank the committee for presenting an interim report on its findings on the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UNDRIP, and Negotiating Agreements.
Two of the priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly are settle and implement treaty land resources as self-government agreement and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The UNDRIP discussion and recommendations make up the bulk of this report which includes scholars, experts, and Indigenous governments.
There were insights that the declaration is not legally binding, that it was only an aspirational document but ignores its intent to guide action. There were many interesting insights, especially for First Nations without agreements, in that they wished to develop their own mechanisms and processes to move their negotiations ahead. Others who have settled UNDRIP may not align -- this may not align with their existing agreements.
I'm getting the sense from this report that UNDRIP requires more consultations and legal review by First Nations organizations in the Northwest Territories.
When the subject of the other priority to settle and implement treaty land resources and self-government agreements, I seldom hear that it is the other party that is stalling the negotiations, and this goes both ways. Obviously, I'm not a party to information regarding negotiations, whether any movement being made, whether the GNWT is actively engaging the federal government and First Nations organizations in ongoing talks to spur movement in negotiations.
I need to express that I am not negotiating for any group. That is not my role. My role is to ensure the GNWT is accountable in their commitment to want to work with First Nations, especially when it is identified as a priority of this Assembly. I applaud the committee on their work to advance these two priorities. Mahsi.