SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Premier Floyd Roland was in Manitoba with the nation's premiers last week for the Council of the Federation's summer meeting.

The council meets annually to discuss issues of importance to Canadians, and to maintain good relationships within the federation.

On the first day of the meetings, the premiers met with aboriginal leaders to discuss how the lives of aboriginal people could be improved.

Roland said the main issues that came out of the discussion included violence against women as well as education.

At a press conference, the NWT's premier praised the territory's education system.

"(There are) a number of areas where, if not leading, we are advanced in our working relationship when it comes to the curriculum of aboriginal peoples in the NWT," he said. "Of course, there's examples where we need to continue to do more."

Discussions among the premiers spanned topics from healthcare to international trade.

Healthcare discussions included the training of healthcare professionals, as well as lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

Roland said he brought up the NWT's proposed changes to supplementary health benefits - items such as prescription, glasses and dental costs - as a means of helping residents without coverage deal with the rising cost of healthcare.

The group also discussed international trade, especially with the European Union.

"The fact that the NWT is now the fifth largest exporter into the EU (European Union) through our diamonds is one of the reasons why I felt it was necessary to become part of the working group and ... have a little more discussion on those items ... (that) we feel need to be addressed as we move forward," the premier said.

He also stressed the importance of private investment in the territory as a means of maintaining sovereignty.

"What we've been trying to push as a government of the NWT is more of a can-do attitude and with the right investments," he said, adding that large-scale projects in the territory offer a return on investment to the federal government and to a number of provinces.

Roland added Prime Minister Stephen Harper is planning to visit the NWT within the next few months.

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