Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about conditions on the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway. My questions are for the Minister of Infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, I know that no matter how many signs you put on a winter road, especially up in the North in the Arctic, the chance of an accident are still very high. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister is: what is the department's plan to improve signage and highway markings between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my final question is: will the department increase the frequency of snow clearing on those sections of the highway that are subject to high winds during drifting snow? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response from the Minister. It's good to see that work is going on to improve the highway. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: under what circumstances does the department issue public alerts on road conditions for the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my constituents have been reporting hazardous conditions along the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway since it has opened. Mr. Speaker, the highway is not well-marked, and there are no turn-outs to get off the road. The lack of signage is a major hazard and should be completed or improved.

Even though residents of Tuktoyaktuk and the region have become familiar with the road, there are still many incidents, usually involving poor weather conditions. I have heard that vehicles are stranded in snow in the middle of the road. If the highway cannot be cleared on a...

I appreciate the response from the Minister. My second question is: what level of financial or other types of support does the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment expect to pledge to this event?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a couple of Pages here today from Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok, Albert Okheena and Chris Haoga, along with their chaperone, Brandon Okheena. Mr. Speaker, the Helen Kalvak School in the Northwest Territories is very strong culturally, along with their language and on-the-land programs, and I would just like to welcome the students here today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That's good information for organizations to know. My final question, and also just a comment: I think that the Indigenous Cultural Expo for Northwest Territories might be a good way to raise awareness of our cultures, languages, traditions, and arts. It also has a great potential to support our growing tourism sector. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister look into the idea and report his findings back to the Assembly of some events like this in the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier I spoke about the National Indigenous Cultural Expo happening in Edmonton on September 28th to 30th this year. My questions are for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, I'd like to see Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Territories well-represented at the National Indigenous Cultural Expo and prominent on a Canada-wide stage. Mr. Speaker, I'm wondering what our Department of Education, Culture and Employment will plan to do to ensure that this happens? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to call attention to a national event that will take place in Edmonton, Alberta, this fall from September 28th to the 30th. It's called the National Indigenous Cultural Expo, or NICE for short.

Mr. Speaker, the event is a spin-off from last year's National Gathering of Elders. About 5,000 people attended this as elders discussed reconciliation, missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, climate change, and then many other topics important to Indigenous people. A special aspect of the gathering is that they've included First Nations, Metis, and...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my last set of questions: I asked the Minister for a toe, and I did not get that. Mr. Speaker, we talked about culture exchanges between territories and provinces, and, Mr. Speaker, I believe it is important to learn from each other in prospective communities across the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is: does the department support the cultural exchange between students in the communities across the territory? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.