Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday during debate during the Committee of the Whole, I expressed many concerns that I had with the process to getting where we are with this bill today. And a lot had to do with the lack of meaningful consultation that our Premier, our Cabinet, the Executive and Indigenous Affairs, did not attend many assemblies to present this to every First Nation group in the Northwest Territories and many times many of them were at the Dene Nation Assemblies. This government has never showed up to any assemblies whatsoever in the Northwest Territories with Indigenous groups to have meaningful consultation. That didn't happen because there were some concerns with certain articles within the document. And those are the things that they wanted to discuss. And after a consultation with the Deh Cho First Nations Grand Chief and after consultation with the Dene National Chief, who informed me that this UNDRIP was opposed at last year's Dene National Assembly. And having said all that, Mr. Speaker, I will abstain from the vote today. Mahsi.
Ronald Bonnetrouge on Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on October 5th, 2023. See this statement in context.
Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act, Carried
Third Reading Of Bills
October 5th, 2023
Page 6827
See context to find out what was said next.