Herbert Nakimayak

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the daylight gets longer and more people go out on the land, on-the-land programming helps ensure that youth are exposed to traditional culture and ways of harvesting and preparing country food. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources' field environmental programs for youth are a valuable part of education in the Northwest Territories. For generations, youth have learned on the land. Now that we no longer rely on traditional skills for survival, we must ensure our vital connection to the land is not lost. ENR delivers a range of programs in...

I appreciate the response. My second question is: how are these new programs, including group phone sessions and confidential Facebook chat sessions, prepared to respond to unique cultural needs like those of Inuit Northerners?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome Mr. Richard Ross, who is my high school friend and one of the most supportive dads I know, and also coach and mentor for youth in the Mackenzie Delta. Thank you and welcome, Richard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Minister may have answered my next question, but just for clarity, my final question is: what other culturally-appropriate mental health supports are currently available for Northerners across the Northwest Territories?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier I spoke about mental health in Nunakput, and my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services about the NWT Help Line program. Mr. Speaker, my first question to the Minister is: can the Minister provide any preliminary observations from the first night of group phone sessions, for instance, the number of people who called in and if this program has started to positively impact Northerners in need? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, recently the NWT Help Line held its first group phone session. This session, ready to host up to 23 people, provided an opportunity for NWT residents to talk to experts and to hear from each other in a confidential and supportive setting, no matter where they were calling from.

The topic, too, was something that is sadly familiar to too many families across our territory: suicide and suicide awareness.

Programs like this, Mr. Speaker, and others such as Mental Health First Aid, sharing circles, and confidential online chats through the NWT Help Line Facebook...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, my final question is: how is the corporation advertising its survey to Nunakput residents? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: how is the Housing Corporation progress in its housing project conversations with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the Nunakput region, an average of 37 per cent of households had housing programs, while an average of 20 per cent of households were in core need.

That means it falls below at least one of the acceptable standards for adequacy, affordability, and suitability, and the household would have to spend more than 30 per cent of its income to achieve suitable housing. While these rates are still too high, I do congratulate the Housing Corporation because both the rates have largely gone down since the last community housing survey in 2009, but separate from...

It's good to hear that progress. Mr. Speaker, my third question is: can the Minister provide an update on the corporation's single four-plex projects and how the work may be expanded in the years to come?