Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I question this initiative because when I got into this House, I received a lot of phone calls from my constituency with regard to the Gwich'in language program which was being run out of this Legislature. I was told to save money, we were going to cut out that program and those dollars were going to be spent in the communities. Being told that and arguing the point, I was told by constituents that these languages and the programs that were delivered through this House regarding the translation were important to my constituents.

If that is the case, I have made an attempt to save this government money by doing away with the language program out of this House regarding the Gwich'in translators who were here in the past and who aren't here today. That way, they could continue their work in the communities. Was that the game plan all along or not?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment with regard to aboriginal languages, especially in the Mackenzie Delta with the Gwich'in language program and also the Inuvialuktun language. Are there any attempts made to cut these languages because of the present financial statement we are in?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A clear statement from this government endorsing regional governments, at least the principle, would go a long way towards improving relationships between the western aboriginal leaders and this government. When can I expect to hear such a statement from this government in this House?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is also a lot about empowering communities in the Premier's statement, but there's not one word with regard to regional governments. Most of the aboriginal groups, including Gwich'in, are seriously looking at forming self-governments that have regional as well as community powers. Does the government endorse forms of self-government that include regional and tribal governments as well as community governments?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier, Mr. Donnie Morin. In the Premier's statement last week, he spoke about developing a good working relationship with western aboriginal leaders. I'm very pleased and thank him for taking that initiative. However, there is not one word in the statement about something that is currently important to the Gwich'in leaders in my riding and also western groups down the valley. Does the government endorse the principle of the inherent right to self-government?

I would like to recognize Mr. Gary Bohnet, president of the Metis Nation and the vice-president, Mr. Mike Paulette.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to community wellness and income support, these are all initiatives that are presently being negotiated at the table between the aboriginal groups and the federal government. So the question is, does the government seriously feel these issues will be looked at through self-government negotiations or will these transfers empower the communities to take over these programs through the transfers.

Looking at the possibility of restructuring government with regard to empowering communities and transferring more initiatives to the regional governments, will that pose a problem in these negotiations? Later on, I will also be asking the Premier questions with regard to his sessional statement. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we are aware, in the last few years with regard to aboriginal communities,

self-government has been high on their agenda. We have had the opportunity to start negotiations in settlement areas, particularly in the area that I represent with the Gwich'in and Irruvialuit negotiation process.

In the last few weeks, there have been statements made regarding the Premier's statement, as well as on events happening in this House. It is not clear how those changes will affect the aboriginal negotiations for self-government. In the past, negotiations between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the aboriginal communities have been strained with regard to the relationship between this government and the federal government. The majority of aboriginal communities are represented by band councils, as well as aboriginal groups such as the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

The current status as to the process with this new Assembly has been changed with the new Premier, Cabinet and Members of this House. There is now dialogue between the aboriginal groups and the regional summit that has been established for the aboriginal forum. In the Premier's statement, there were no comments made about self- government and the importance of it in the North. There has been restructuring of the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio. Does that mean the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs will no longer be the key person in those discussions?

The Government of the Northwest Territories has also talked about community transfers and community empowerment. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to have the Minister make an attempt to have something come back to this House with regard to the possibility of a review of this process, the policy that you guys are following. You're saying this thing has been in effect for a number of years, and I believe it should be reviewed with the financial restraints that we're under and also the need for housing by other clients. We have a large number of individuals in a lot of communities where there are long waiting lists. In some cases, there are 70 people waiting to get a house, and I believe this is not fair to the other clients in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.