I was proud to be in Iqaluit yesterday with the Prime Minister, Ministers of our government and Inuit leaders as we signed a declaration to create the lnuit-Crown Partnership.

This establishes a new chapter between Inuit and the Government of Canada. It includes the implementation of the Inuit land claims agreements, social development, and reconciliation between Inuit and the government.

As the new lnuit-Crown relationship moves forward, immediate action will be taken to address painful memories of the past, including relocations and the treatment of Inuit during the tuberculosis epidemic of the 1940s and the sixties, and including the many relocations from their historic communities and villages.

It will address the dark decades of residential schools and work together with Inuit to advance the strategy, reducing suicide and building stronger communities together.

The Inuit Nunangat Declaration demonstrates the shared commitment of the renewed lnuit-Crown relationship between Inuit, Tapiriit and Kanatami and the Government of Canada, and it underscores the common goal of creating prosperity for all Inuit, which benefits all Canadians.

This is a proud and historic moment