Thank you, Madam Chair. Mahsi for this opportunity to speak to you.
My name is Bill Erasmus. I'm the national chief of the Dene Nation. As you know, there's a long history in the Northwest Territories dealing with land claims. I thought I would talk a little bit about some of that history to give you an understanding of it and talk about some of the more recent things that are happening and give suggestions on how to make improvements.
I don't have written notes, but I will draft a note to you so that you have it for the record.
Thank you also to the MP for the Northwest Territories and the western Arctic, Michael McLeod. We know that he asked you to come north, and we're very pleased that you were able to do that.
There are other people who wanted to come forward who never had an opportunity. For example, I spoke to Chief Frieda Martselos from Fort Smith this morning. She and her people settled the Salt River First Nation agreement in 2002 and they have a lot of concerns they would like to bring forward. I have asked her to put those on paper and send them directly to you, and possibly have an opportunity at some other point to speak to you, if that's possible by telephone or however.