Michael Nadli

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on my Member’s statement regarding community economies. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Here in the Northwest Territories, in the Mackenzie Valley, whether we live up north, whether in the south, west or eastern part of the Northwest Territories we call this our home. We live in small, remote communities, regional centres and, of course, we live in big cities like Yellowknife.

My question is: Does Education, Culture and Employment adapt its employment programs to each community’s needs...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] When we are here in Yellowknife we are talking about the budget and the people in the community are saying that we do not have enough money. It seems like we have to listen to people more diligently. [Translation ends].

They tend to depend on government to create jobs and opportunities. In the smaller communities half the people who have jobs work for either the GNWT or local governments.

With the current state of the economy this is not going to change any time soon. The employment rate in many communities is under 40 percent. In two-thirds of the Northwest...

I would like to thank the Minister for his response. My question was whether the department would perhaps maybe modify or else customize its approach in terms of trying to create employment in communities, because not all communities are the same. We have, of course, different demographics in different regional centres in different communities. My question, once again: Does the department adapt its employment programs in circumstances of each community that is normally different? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to recognize and welcome Phoebe Parent, my constituency assistant from Fort Providence.

I thank the Premier for that. Recently we witnessed two processes. One of them was the Aboriginal Summit in terms of bringing all the Aboriginal groups together from the Mackenzie Valley, at the same time ensuring that the governments were involved through the Intergovernmental Forum. That process basically put forth some key elements in terms of what we call devolution, at that time. What is different about this devolution process than that initial process back then?

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to acknowledge the presence of two Pages from my community: Brandon Constant and Lisa Constant. I’d like to acknowledge them. Brandon and Lisa are both in Grade 9. Brandon likes to play badminton, from just speaking with the principal in Fort Providence, and they both like outdoor on-the-land activities. Both completed the Student Initiative Program in Fallis, Alberta, in November. Both are wonderful youth models, and their parents are Manuel Constant and Vicky Marcellais. So I’d like to welcome them to the Legislature. Mahsi.

My final question to the Premier is: At what point – I understand there’s negotiations and there’s also process ability consensus – can we have to step back and say how do we consider conflict resolution? How do we perhaps bring a sense of mediation in terms of bringing groups together? At what point would the Premier call into those conferences to ensure that we do indeed have consensus at the end of this process?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently, of course, we were all elected to represent our constituents. Shortly after that we had an exercise that set the priorities and goals of trying to work together and trying to achieve some of the concerns and issues that our constituents have raised. Working together is a common survival instinct, especially for us here in the Northwest Territories. This government is founded on that very principle that we need to work together, we need to work out our differences. This process that we call consensus is a unique feature of this government. We pride ourselves...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I, too, wanted to make a statement on devolution. I’m deeply concerned about the current state of talks on devolution of control over lands and resources to the Northwest Territories from the federal government. As you know, no Dene governments or land claim organizations are involved in the process, and now the Gwich’in Tribal Council has taken this government and the federal government to court over what they say is a lack of consultation.

I know that our Aboriginal governments also believe that our current Devolution Agreement-in-Principle will be not much revenue or...

I just wanted to see if the Minister could provide perhaps just a vision in terms of where he sees this relationship building with First Nations going.