Jackson Lafferty

Mr. Speaker, I did meet with the Member on identifying the funds that are being distributed through teaching and learning centres. There have been some concerns in that respect. We are currently rolling out the Aboriginal Languages Plan. It will be tabled in the House today. From there, that does cover the aspects of what the Member is referring to. It is broad. It is just not one region, Mr. Speaker. So I am glad that the Member is referring to that, because it is an important piece of work that we need to start talking and making those changes.

We currently provide this approximately $12...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories has a rich cultural history we need to continue to explore and celebrate. I’m pleased to share successful projects supported by the culture and heritage division at the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

These projects demonstrate our commitment to research, preserve and share information while highlighting our commitment to showcasing and promoting vibrant cultures of today.

This past summer the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre was a tourist destination for visitors and Northerners alike; over 12,000 visitors enjoyed the new...

Mr. Speaker, that would be the discussion that we need to have with the various parties that we have mentioned earlier. Like I said, we are going to the community, meeting with the superintendent, the staff and the principal and the school itself. Definitely, those are the areas that are of great interest to us as well. Coming from a small community, we are not ignoring them. It is part of the capital planning process. We need to plan for next year in the planning process. Mr. Speaker, the planning study is an area that we need to discuss.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. At the current time we are working closely with PWS on the particular school in Trout Lake. There has been some work done on inspections. It took place over the summer of 2010 that identified a VFA inspection. Also, PWS will be visiting the school to review the program space and speak with the building users. That is the ongoing work that we are currently having.

I will be visiting the Member’s riding. I have been invited by the Member, so I am looking forward to looking at the school as well, to see what is out there and we can discuss further at that level. Mahsi, Mr...

Mr. Speaker, definitely we need to reach out to other jurisdictions as well, such as the Vancouver Olympics. It was a very true success. We showcased the Northwest Territories. Our own artists and performers there were very successful. We will continue to promote that.

The time frame, we can say maybe sometime after this session we can sit down and discuss with the Member on how to best approach this initiative. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As the Assembly knows, we have increased our funding to arts and performers, a total of approximately $770,000 over 2009-10 and 2010-11. There have been some various activities that happened in the Northwest Territories and outside the Northwest Territories. I can certainly provide the list to the Member, because it is a long list, but I can touch on just a few of them.

We have sponsored an entry into the Northern Festival Presenters Conference in Yellowknife, March 2010; we had Aklavik Gwich’in Dancers, Arctic Winter Games, in Grande Prairie; the NWT Arts Council...

Mr. Speaker, yes, this will be a topic of discussion, for sure. There is also, going to the Deh Cho region, Simpson, on December 7th and 8th, the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative. This is the topic of discussion we are having relating to schools, infrastructure and the programming. This is the discussion that we will continue to have this year.

Mr. Speaker, this particular school, we need to have more detailed analysis. A planning study needs to be in place. We need to identify what the needs of the school are in the community. That is definite. We need to work on that. Next year’s capital planning process we can discuss further as we move forward. This could be part of the capital planning process for the following year. Mr. Speaker, this is an area that I can work closely with the Member and also the PWS Minister. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, the museum invited the Member to attend or have a tour. I believe that occurred, or will occur. This is an area that interests us as well. If there is space availability, then, definitely, we should showcase our northern arts and arts and crafts and whatnot.

Mr. Speaker, definitely we need to discuss this further with the museum and my colleague as well. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, those are the types of discussions that we need to have between ITI and ECE along with the Members. We’ve had various activities and shows displayed at the museums in different communities, whether it be from Scotland where we have Tlicho artefacts there that were brought to the Northwest Territories and brought to the communities as a mobile trade show.

Mr. Speaker, this is an area that I need to talk with my colleague from ITI on how we can approach this, because we need to visit our communities, what kind of performers or the arts display that we need to highlight. Those are the...