Kevin A. Menicoche

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have much more to add than the mover, the seconder and other speakers on this motion. I am rising in support of the motion. We do have more responsibility here in the Northwest Territories as a result of devolution. As a result, we have more at stake with our lands, waters and resources and, therefore, should have more accountability and transparency, and that’s why I will be voting in favour of this motion. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I’m very pleased that the Minister recognizes the fact that certainly the music component that they’re delivering enhances and increases the ability of our students to learn and, therefore, is making our education system that much better. I’d just like to ask the Minister if he can evaluate that.

Is there another way that we can continue to support them as well?

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I was speaking about funding supports from our government for the Kole Crook Fiddle Association. I think some of it’s done through the NWT Arts Council, so I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about continuing the same level or even increased funding.

What type of funding guidelines are there with the NWT Arts Councils? Thank you.

Gratitude for financial supports also has to be extended to the departments of Municipal and Community Affairs and Education, Culture and Employment, the NWT Arts Society and the Dehcho Divisional Board of Education and the many other boards whom I did not mention. I am proud that the government is funding this worthwhile program and should certainly continue at the same level or even increase the contributions. The benefits to our youth, our education and our future far outweigh passive restraint. Mahsi cho.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to see the Minister support the efforts of the Kole Crook Fiddle Association.

I just want to ask the Minister, are there any other funding areas within the department that continue to support the association, as well, besides the NWT Arts Council?

I’m very pleased to hear this and, of course, the association is very pleased with the annual contributions. With the words of “passive restraint” going around, of course I’m up here advocating on their behalf that their annual funding doesn’t get cut back.

I’d like to ask the Minister, hopefully the NWT Arts Council isn’t impacted by our Passive Restraint Policy this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize Pages from one of my smaller communities, the community of Wrigley, and I’d like to thank the Page Program for allowing the smaller communities to come to Yellowknife and be our Pages. I’d like to recognize Mr. Christian Moses and Kayden Antoine. I do want to say that the Nahendeh Pages are getting taller and taller. I’d also like to recognize their chaperone, Ms. Lisa Moses, and her husband, David Moses, who are in the gallery today. Thank you very much.

Mr. Speaker, good afternoon. The Kole Crook Fiddle Association turns 12 years old this year. It was registered as a society in 2003 and has chapters in six communities and provides a wonderful music program to 12 communities in the Northwest Territories. This fills a void in our education system that doesn’t offer music in all our schools.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the late fiddler, Kole Crook, whom the association is named for. He shared his gift throughout the North and was known for his gentle ways and selfless generosity. He passed away far too young at 27 years.

He provided...

Thank you very much. I notice that some of the programming in the other regions was adult orientated. Can and will youth proposals be accepted as well? Thank you.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up on my Member’s statement when I spoke about on-the-land programming and some of the wonderful projects that are happening in the regions and communities this year.

I want to speak specifically about the Deh Cho proposals. I know that the Minister wasn’t able to qualify a successful proposal in his announcement yesterday. So, are there proposals out there and what type are they? Thank you.