Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  The BIP, as we call it, the business incentive policy, is something we have in place. We work with northern businesses that are here in the north, built in the north, so to speak, to give them an opportunity to become involved in the economic opportunities that exist. In some of our smaller communities we could never build our territory or business opportunities up because there were always other companies that were successful and had the expertise.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That was some time ago.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I recall the visit. I believe when we met in Inuvik it was at my office, which was across from the town office at that point. So you sparked a memory. Thank you very much. There is the issue of our alignment with some of the work that is being done. It is a pretty good alignment.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Our relationship with aboriginal governments and organizations in the Northwest Territories is a healthy one. For example, through our government, we've put in place what we would call regional aboriginal leaders meetings. That includes me as the premier of the Northwest Territories.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  With regard to devolution, the first thing we did as the Government of the Northwest Territories was to meet with our regional aboriginal leaders and talk with them about a common approach from the north to the federal government. We put the discussion aside for a while until we had a better understanding and could bring the partnership in the north together in a more cohesive fashion.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Thank you. In the population makeup of the Northwest Territories, we have first nations, Inuit, and Métis. From my group of people, the Inuit, I guess, would be more the Inuvialuit, and that is the tie to the Inuit. We have the Dene or the first nations and then we have the Métis.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  I think your question, with the long list you've provided, is probably one of the reasons why this government is more about saying, “Give us the tools so that we can build it”, and not about.... There's still a need for project-specific funding. We're trying to deal with many of the things you've highlighted from within our budget process.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  Good morning, and welcome to Yellowknife. Members of Parliament, chair of the committee, committee members, and staff, I am Floyd Roland, Premier of the Northwest Territories and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations. I would like to welcome you all here to the north, and I want to thank you for venturing outside of the nation's capital to speak to northerners on our turf.