Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In Fort Resolution, the average income is half of that of Yellowknife. I would guess that by that income alone, that half the population do not have vehicles. Is it okay for the Minister and her department that people may have to walk 100 miles as she puts it, although I am sure that it is a little longer, to see a dentist? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mrs. Groenewegen. In my line of questioning, I may be plugging some of the issues that some of my colleagues have been working on for awhile, specifically Ms. Lee on Highway No. 3.

I was driving back from Hay River Sunday evening and on the ferry, I ran into a constituent of mine coming to Yellowknife from Fort Resolution. She had all her kids in the van, five of them. I asked her what she was doing. She said she was travelling from Fort Resolution to Yellowknife to visit the dentist.

I will ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, is it acceptable for her and her department to have a young woman with her five young children travelling 1350 kilometres to visit a dentist? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Throughout the Northwest Territories, different aboriginal groups have taken it upon themselves to organize themselves and work on ways of protecting, preserving and enhancing their languages. Any initiatives such as this require resources, financial resources, human resources, et cetera.

My understanding from the Minister's answer is that the agreement between the federal government and the Government of the Northwest Territories is three to five years for renegotiations.

Will this department work with the aboriginal groups who are working together preserving the language, in developing a plan that will determine exactly what maximum resources are going to be required throughout the Northwest Territories for aboriginal language preservation based on that information, and negotiate the amount necessary? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today, my colleague addressed an issue that is of great concern for me as well. The aboriginal languages in the Northwest Territories are dying a slow death, some might say a very fast death compared to other societies in the world. We also know of the funding arrangements between this government and the government of Canada. I think I have spoken on this issue in the House before.

Under that funding arrangement, a thousand is allocated for Francophones compared to one dollar allocated for aboriginals towards language preservation, development and enhancement. Is the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment going to be negotiating with the federal government to try to increase the aboriginal portion of these financial arrangements? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today being Aboriginal Day, I would like to stick to that theme and pose a question to the Government House Leader. Language is a problem. Education is a problem. This government is working in partnerships, or attempting to work in partnership with the federal government, territorial government, and aboriginal governments. I think we need to express our sincerity in that. However, I see two flags in this House, one represents the Northwest Territories and one represents Canada. Would the House Leader and Cabinet consider placing the flags of the different aboriginal groups that we currently are dealing with in the House? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to take the time to recognize Mr. John Bekale. John works for BHP and has played quite a hand in recruiting aboriginal people throughout the Northwest Territories. With it being National Aboriginal Day, I would like to recognize Mr. John Bekale. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation starts) My friends and family, today is a very special day for me. You all remember Elijah Harper out in Hull, Quebec, who has united all the First Nations people in this Territory and across Canada.

Today is a very special day for the Dene and the Metis. This is a very special day for all aboriginal people. June 21st is a very special day. We here in the Northwest Territories live our own traditional lifestyle the way people live, the Dene people, the Inuit, the Metis...we must recognize all of these people today.

Next month, we will all gather in Fort Resolution to celebrate a very special event. It is 100 years since Treaty 8 was signed. We will have canoe races. We will dance and celebrate. We will do everything. We will jig and have a very tremendous time.

Therefore, I am welcoming you all to join us in our festivities in Fort Resolution. We hope to have approximately 3,000 people there. Paul Boucher in Fort Resolution is in charge of the festivities and we are still looking for funding and assistance. Anyone who would like to assist us in any funding, we will welcome your funding.

Today is National Aboriginal Day. This is a special day for us who are native to the country and everyone within Canada as well. Everyone is probably thinking why do we have this special day?

Look at me. I am wearing a special shirt. This is ...(translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Mr. Daryl Beaulieu from the Deton'Cho Development Corporation, Mr. Jonas Sangris from Dettah, and in the spirit of the day, Mr. Speaker, the people of Tu Nedhe, who are always in my heart and mind while I sit here representing them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Negotiations have not been easy, and at times have certainly been frustrating. I hope they continue to the next stages of negotiations with that same determination and make things happen for the people of the Akaitcho and, in a large part, the people of the Northwest Territories.

This agreement still has to be ratified by all parties. All indications point to July 25th at the Akaitcho Treaty 8's Centenary in Deninu K'ue for this to happen.

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I hope to see a promising future for the Akaitcho people through these negotiations. I look forward to seeing all of you at the signing on the 25th of July in Deninu K'ue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause