Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to recognize Chief Drygeese traditional territory and home of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
Mr. Speaker, as we approach the end of the year, my question is to the Premier. If he could update this House on what progress has been made towards finalizing the Akaitcho land claim and self-government agreement in 2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So back in 2023, a consultation draft of the Akaitcho treaty agreement-in-principle was concluded, and the Akaitcho chiefs, or First Nations, wanted to do an internal review of that agreement-in-principle before external consultation continues. And so that was in, as I said, 2023. It was in 2024 when they requested that there's no -- there will be no external consultation until they were comfortable, their membership were comfortable with the agreement-in-principle. And that is, from what I understand, still the status. The last meeting with the Akaitcho was in May on this topic, and since then they have been continuing their internal review.
So at this point, Canada, the GNWT, are waiting for that to conclude. So the ball is in their court. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Has the recent changes in federal leadership and its renewed focus on economic development had a positive impact on the progress of these negotiations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And so as I said, because this has been taken internally by the Akaitcho, there hasn't been any progress and so any changes in the federal government's position haven't really had an impact. However, I know that the federal government is looking to cut costs across government and so there is -- you know, we need some clarity on what this extended internal review means for the funding to conduct such a review and how long the federal government will continue to provide funds. So in terms of the economic focus, I can't say there's been an impact, but we're waiting to find out what impact there could be with the upcoming federal budget. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Given the agreement's significance to both reconciliation certainty and economic certainty in the Northwest Territories, can the Premier confirm whether finalizing the Akaitcho agreement is a major priority of this government and what steps are being taken to demonstrate that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a major priority. I think it should be evident to everyone why that's a major priority. When we have settled land claims, we have certainty. You know, prospective investors would have certainty. The money would flow into the territory from the federal government to the First Nations to administer their lands and self-governments. So, yes, it's a priority to get this done. However, it is in the hands of the Akaitcho right now. That being said, we're continuing to try to do our best to strengthen our relationship with the Akaitcho, and so we have been working with them on the Arctic economic and security corridor. The Akaitcho -- actually, the chiefs came down to the Council of Leaders which was very encouraging to see them down there in Ottawa and making contribution to that table. So in terms of the treaty, the agreement-in-principle, things are where they are with the Akaitcho. They're still doing internal review. But our overall relationship, it is advancing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Oral questions. Member from Yellowknife North.
