Floyd Roland

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northern Leaders’ Forum got its life out of the Regional Leaders’ Table as it was through the Regional Leaders’ Table where we set up the side group to include leaders from across the North, look at a common vision. We had a meeting following or just prior to the AIP process. Not all of the people who were involved initially were able to attend as they were preparing for the agreement-in-principle process. With what we received, our partners were there. We were incorporating their work, for those that submitted documentation. We are going to send that out to the...

Mr. Speaker, I must say the Member is correct; the Regular Members have put together a brief paper on the devolution agreement. I believe it is very brief. To do this document justice, we are going to have to go into much more of it. I have already done a number of interviews with CBC, the call-in show, to try to address some of the specific concerns that are coming out there. But to do this justice, to get the accurate information in front of the people in the North in their own language as well as in English, we want to make sure we have done this right, and the interpretation right as well...

Mr. Speaker, this agreement-in-principle has the fingerprints and handprints of the Aboriginal organizations and governments across the Northwest Territories. From the earliest days up until we picked this up and concluded a number of the bilateral issues, even to the point when this document was signed and sent to them, they started to look at what was presented. As the negotiators said, they reached their mandate. They’ve got their handprints and that’s why there’s language in here that talks about protection of Aboriginal rights and interest in the Northwest Territories. We’ve incorporated...

Although the initial public release of the agreement-in-principle wasn’t done by the Government of the Northwest Territories, one of the big things we will do is table in this Assembly the signed agreement. We have begun the process of reaching out to the homes across the North. As well, we will be doing that through the radio programs. I talked about a householder being ready in a matter of weeks, hopefully before the end of this month. We can start the delivery of those to homes. Prior to that, I expect we will be able to deliver through the Aboriginal radio programs what the agreement-in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It will not conclude the discussions. In fact, I believe it will be the place for those future discussions and concerns that are being raised since the airing by CBC of the draft agreement-in-principle that it allows, in fact, to bring closure to those concerns that are being raised.

It is a continuation process. It is not the final step in decision-making. In fact, I believe the future Government of the Northwest Territories and the future aboriginal governments within a number of years will have to make a final decision as to that final agreement that would have to...

Now, I guess -- and I’ll have to tread carefully here -- that the Member’s logic sometimes might be well placed, but I wonder where it goes at times. If we want to play that game, we can. But the simple fact is, in this forum where we are nine years-plus working… The Member for Mackenzie Delta raises the Northern Accord, raises the Dene-Metis comprehensive process. Years in working together in trying to move authority from Ottawa to the North. This is the time for a still, stable approach as we try to progress on and allow aboriginal governments to have their time to look at the deal as it was...

Mr. Speaker, I think this is a prime example of what happens when the authorities for decisions of land and environment and resources are made in other capitals across this country and being the capital of Canada. This is a prime example of what happens when you don’t have authority to make decisions. In fact, through this process for 12 years, the GNWT has been working alongside our aboriginal partners. In fact, it put resources on the table to help with these areas. Again, it came as quite a surprise to us that the announcement was made that they are withdrawing from them. The letter has...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No doubt, as the Premier of the Northwest Territories, as the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, yes, I know just exactly how important this agreement is to the Northwest Territories, to the GNWT, to aboriginal governments and to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government has worked alongside of aboriginal groups when it comes to the Protected Areas Strategy, the interim measures agreements that are put in place and working towards bringing those to successful conclusion. It came as quite a surprise, a shock, that it was announced that the measures were being withdrawn and, in fact, it was shortly after that that the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger, was directed to write a letter to the Minister of INAC in the response and concern to extend that agreement so that it would remain in place...

Mr. Speaker, I think the Member is probing to see if I will give him information as to what might become a response to a question, or an issue that may get raised this evening or as we go forward into making a decision on this AIP as the GNWT. The simple fact, again, of honouring the process, wanting to sit down with the regional leadership and hear from them directly on some of the major issues, what can we address through an AIP and what is more important, I guess, addressed through the self-government process. Again, the AIP is a devolution of authorities over public lands. It is Crown...