Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to recognize the language board members. Welcome to everybody, especially three of my constituents, Joshua Oliktoak from Ulukhaktok, Emily Kudlak from Ulukhaktok, and Betty Elias from Tuktoyaktuk, as well as my relative Ann Peters, who is somewhere in here. Welcome, everybody, and have a good weekend. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response. It is good to see that the Premier and the GNWT is looking at all Indigenous groups, not just in the NWT, but looking at the relevance and the issues and concerns from other regions.

Mr. Speaker, my second question is: what has the GNWT's involvement been on the development of the Arctic Policy Framework?

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the global population grows, the climate changes and Arctic ecosystems experience unprecedented warming. Marine shipping companies have continued to expand operations through the Arctic as a result of increased traffic. One of the concerns that have been raised at the international levels is a prevalent use of heavy fuel oil, or HFO, that fuels marine vessels, as well as a lack of infrastructure in the Arctic, such as deep sea ports, small and medium craft harbours. This is something that needs to be addressed by the Government of Nunavut, the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is good for the general public to know, and I appreciate the work the department is doing. I know how challenging it is, as being an employee of that maybe five years, four years ago.

Mr. Speaker, my final question to the Minister: what work remains, and will there be further closures? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I understand, you know, construction of a gravel road on permafrost sometimes requires some time to settle before it dries up, and I appreciate the response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, my question is: how many days of additional road access did the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk gain with the opening of the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway?

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize three high school graduates from Helen Kalvak school in Ulukhaktok.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Jacob Klengenberg is graduating this year with full academic grade 12 and is accepted into a two-year Social Work Diploma at Nova Scotia Community College.

Mr. Speaker, Jacob is a role model to his peers. While earning an academic education, he still ensured that he maintained his cultural hunting, fishing, and travelling practices. During his years at Helen Kalvak school, he participated in many sports and activities, including judo, boxing...

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, I am just going to get right to it here. My next question for the Minister is: what are we doing to make sure this does not happen next year?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure, and it's on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway. Mr. Speaker, recently the department closed the road due to soft and rutted areas that could be a risk to the travelling public and to prevent further damage to the highway. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister is: why did the Department of Infrastructure open an unfinished road? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with new money rolling in from Canadian Heritage to revitalize, preserve, and enhance official Indigenous languages, this funding is imperative to the survival of our languages and culture that have been undergoing a pattern of decline. It is my hope that the Northwest Territories will have a success story about the language revival and become an example for the rest of the country to follow.

Mr. Speaker, one of the reasons why linguistic heritage is often in danger of extinguishment is because of colonialism and the treatment of non-dominant languages and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe it's crucial to involve elders in all areas where they can meaningfully participate in intergenerational relationships. Research has shown that these interactions can have benefits for each generation. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Mr. Speaker, does the GNWT have anything formal in offering interactions between elders and college students, school children, and children of other ages in a variety of settings to provide and consistently expose them to language and culture? Thank you, Mr. Speaker...