Mr. Speaker, last month I attended the annual Association for Mineral Exploration Roundup conference in Vancouver with fellow Cabinet Members and government officials. We were there to advance this Legislative Assembly's priorities to increase resource exploration and development in our territory; adopt a benefit retention approach to economic development; make strategic infrastructure investments; and, to identify, prioritize, and strengthen key actions to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
Achieving meaningful progress on these multiple and complex priorities is far more effective through partnerships. To most effectively achieve strategic investments and economic development alongside the advancement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, we need partners, collaborators, supporters and advocates across all levels of government, with industry, and stakeholders.
Building effective partnerships happens with time spent together, meeting both formally and informally, in different settings, with different combinations of parties to bring a variety of perspectives to the exchange. Having those kinds of opportunities was a major part of the work we did at Roundup. One of the messages that we carried with us is the commitment that we have at all levels, to evolve how development is done in partnership with Indigenous people.
For Northwest Territories leaders, the depth, strength, of what we have in common is never more obvious than when we are working together, particularly outside of the Northwest Territories, as advocates for the North. I was pleased to participate in multiple events alongside Indigenous governments from the Northwest Territories. The mineral resource industry and, in particular those who invest in it, is changing rapidly. The recognition of environmental, social, and governance factors, as well as Indigenous relationships, is the way of the future for resource development.
As I have said before, this is the way we have done business in the North for a long time and together, with Northwest Territories delegates and Indigenous delegates, the GNWT was able to showcase the partnered and sustainable approach to resource development that exists here. Our collective presence at a forum like Roundup, and strong advocacy for the Northwest Territories, made each of our messages stronger.
This year was a particularly strong showing of our movement towards a more whole-of-government approach to governance. Our delegation included, at different times, Premier Cochrane, Minister Archie, and also officials from Infrastructure, Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, Finance, and Industry, Tourism and Investment. We were also supported by the presence of MLA Jane Weyallon Armstrong, the Member from Monfwi, as a representative of Standing Committee on Economic Development and Oversight. Together we met face-to-face with operators and company executives interested or already working in our territory as well as those who are new to the opportunities in the Northwest Territories.
The GNWT supported three networking events to promote the territory to investment audiences and to encourage dialogue about the Northwest Territories' attractiveness for investment.
First, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment held an environmental, social, governance Indigenous-themed event that welcomed Indigenous governments from across the Northwest Territories, mineral resource companies, and investors. We were especially pleased to have the Tlicho drummers start this event off.
Next, led by Premier Cochrane, we celebrated last year's creation of a Northwest Territories chapter of Women in Mining and the election of Tlicho-born Gaeleen MacPherson as its president. Tlicho Grand Chief Lafferty spoke, recognizing the transformational accomplishments of Northwest Territories women, not only in mining but throughout the Tlicho.
Finally, supported by officials with the Department of Infrastructure, Minister Archie hosted an event promoting the territory's green energy potential while reiterating the importance of federal investment in three key infrastructure projects: The Taltson Hydro Expansion, Slave Geological Province Corridor, and Mackenzie Valley Highway.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Northwest Territories' mining community and Indigenous governments and industry stakeholders who took time out of their own objectives at the Association for Mineral Exploration Roundup to support us in advancing ours.
We are at a pivotal time for the Northwest Territories. Resource availability, technology, market demand, and global interest are coming together to create extraordinary opportunities for investment. As part of our marketing efforts, the Northwest Territories geological survey released a new compilation of critical mineral showings in highlighting the distribution of critical mineral finds in the Northwest Territories. On the conference's exhibit floor, we promoted our region and its geology to explorers and responded to the growing interest that we are seeing in the Northwest Territories' known and potential deposits of rare earth and other critical minerals.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories is positioned to play a key part in advancing the world's new technology-based green economy. More importantly, we have the opportunity, as governments, and industry together, to contribute to economic growth and prosperity in Northwest Territories communities where it is so needed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.