Bob McLeod - Milestones Achieved at Aboriginal Rights Negotiations

Mr. Speaker, concluding land, resources and self-government agreements is an essential element of the political evolution of the Northwest Territories and the foundation for our future economic and political stability.

The Government of the Northwest Territories is an active party to these negotiations as we support the settlement of all outstanding Aboriginal rights in the Northwest Territories. We know, from experience, that those who have settled agreements have the necessary tools to fully participate in the Northwest Territories and Canadian economies, to strengthen their communities and to create new business, investment and job opportunities. Strong relationships with Aboriginal governments are a priority for the 17^th Assembly and a key part of building a strong, sustainable future for our territory.

Thirty years ago this June, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement became the first comprehensive land claim agreement settled in the Northwest Territories. This milestone was followed by the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, the Tłîchô Agreement and the Salt River First Nation Treaty Settlement Agreement. Collectively, these agreements have resulted in almost 200,000 square kilometers of land under direct Aboriginal ownership and financial settlements from Canada in excess of 650 million dollars.

Today, Aboriginal rights negotiations, including self-government, are underway in all regions of the Northwest Territories as we continue along the journey of shaping the framework for land and resource management and the future governance structure of communities and regions for decades to come. With several sets of negotiations nearing critical milestones, we are seeing firsthand how partners working together can achieve significant results.

This includes the conclusion of a draft Délįnę Final Self-government Agreement that was initialled by the parties this past December. The Final Agreement contains a wide range of powers that will give the Sahtu Dene and Métis of Délįnę more control over the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives, including how programs and services will be delivered. The Délįnę ratification vote is planned for March 10 to 12, 2014, in Délįnę and Yellowknife. When ratified, the Délįnę Self-government Agreement would become the first self-government agreement to be negotiated in the Northwest Territories on a community basis.

Last week, I had the pleasure of adding my signature to the Acho Dene Koe First Nation Agreement-in-Principle on a land and resources agreement on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories. When signed by all parties, negotiations will continue toward a Final Agreement that, once complete, will become the first community-based land and resources agreement in the Northwest Territories.

Our negotiators have also recently concluded a draft Agreement-in-Principle on self-government with the Inuvialuit and are close to finalizing an Agreement-in-Principle on land and resources with the Northwest Territory Métis Nation. Consultations with potentially affected Aboriginal governments are being conducted on both draft agreements. Once consultations are complete and the agreements are finalized by the Parties, Final Agreement negotiations will begin.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to these significant milestones, I am pleased to report that we are continuing to see progress at all other Aboriginal rights negotiations throughout our territory.

I believe that partnership and mutual respect is the key to success. This is how we do things in the North, and this is how we will continue to do things. This territory is built on partnerships and collaboration, and the Government of the Northwest Territories will continue to work effectively with its Federal and Aboriginal partners to finalize and implement land, resources and self-government agreements in all regions of the Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.