Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister actually come on a tour in the first week of December, with Minister Schumann and I, along with whoever else is available? Will the Minister commit to that? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Schumann.

Mr. Speaker, the number of income assistance cases and the number of income assistance beneficiaries in Tsiigehtchic has increased over time. We are also hearing from community leadership that a local dedicated staff person is necessary for practical purposes. What other information does the department need to build a business case to re-introduce this position into the community?

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, people who are not familiar with this government's program might think "income support" just means one program. Not so, Mr. Speaker. In the Northwest Territories, our income security programs include regular income assistance, as well as NWT Child Benefit, a seniors' supplementary benefit and home heating subsidiary, and student financial assistance.

For clients, the administrative burden of these programs can be very intimidating. Take income assistance as an example.

After their initial applications, clients must regularly stay on top of their reporting...

Thank you. Next on the list, we have Mr. Vanthuyne.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister Schumann.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate elder Mary Effie Snowshoe from Fort MacPherson. Mary Effie was recently in Ottawa to accept the Indspire Award for Culture, Heritage, and Spirituality.

At 82 years old, she grew up being taught the Gwich'in traditional way of life from her parents, hunting, fishing, trapping, preparing food, and tanning moose hides. Mary Effie continues to pass on her knowledge to family, as well as visitors to the community and visitors to her fish camp.

Up until 2003, Jijuu Mary Effie taught the Gwich'in language for 24 years...

Clauses 31 to 35.

Clauses 21 to 25.