Michael Nadli

Could the Minister explain the criteria for selecting these communities? It's clear that the Minister has made a decision for his community of Fort Smith. The other communities, I understand there are other criteria that could be objectively used. One such criterion could be, you know, office space.

Mr. Speaker, can you feel it? Can you hear it? Mr. Speaker, the Arctic Winter Games are fast approaching, and the opening ceremony of the 2018 South Slave Games is taking place this Sunday, March 18, in Hay River. Hay River is the traditional territory of the K'atlodeeche First Nations, along with the West Point First Nation and the Metis Nation.

While part of the games will also be held in Fort Smith, the Dene games will take place on the Hay River Reserve. I look forward to the cultural events, such as stick pull, snow snake, hand games, and drum dances.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to...

Would the Minister agree that one criteria could be the number of fees that are currently being addressed? Fort Providence, for one, has the highest number of land leases. Would the Minister agree to have a position situated in Fort Providence?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the 2018-2019 Main Estimates, the Department of Lands plans to roll out several new positions to work on land tender issues, including land leases in my riding of Deh Cho. My questions are to the Minister of Lands. Of course, my intention is to seek some clarity in terms of how the land lease issues would be addressed. My first question is to the Minister: can the Minister explain why two positions are going to Fort Smith when there are only six land leases in Fort Smith? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this time of the year, there might be students out there listening to this debate and discussion, and more than likely, those students are looking for ideas and assurances that when they enter, perhaps, Aurora College for programs this fall, that there will be programs; there will be a classroom; they will have a desk; they will have resources; they will have professors. My question to the Minister is: what kind of hope can he give to students that potentially may enter, say, Aurora College for the Social Work Program this fall? Mahsi.

I clearly understand the Minister supports all of the initiatives that he has outlined. Yet, Mr. Speaker, Ontario has nine Indigenous governed and operated post-secondary institutions. New legislation provides a pathway for them to offer post-secondary degrees, certificates, and diplomas. The province will spend $56 million over the next three years to expand the capacity of Indigenous institutes. Will the Minister look at this model and revise his discussion paper to reflect best practices?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to recognize Chief Eddie Sangris. Also, at the same time, Sam Gargan, a constituent of mine from Fort Providence, and also, I did recognize him as a professor, I recognize him as an elder, of course, a former Speaker from the Assembly, so I'd like to recognize him. And plus, from the Dechinta University, Catherine Lafferty. Marci.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I wanted to speak on this matter here. The idea, I am trying to create two positions to address the equity of these issues, and just to try and move forward on the matter. There has been at least an assessment of whether indeed the position could be realized for the community of Fort Providence. I understand that there had been an indication of just the current office space that houses the current employees, GNWT employees at Sun Centre, and I understand there is available office space that could be quickly mobilized to at least create a position in the community. I am...

It may not be possible for institutions like Dechinta and College nordique to grow and prosper without more public funding than they get now. This funding could open the door to much more investment beyond our territory. For example, this summer, Dechinta went on the river. What is the Minister going to do about this and live up to the mandate commitment to expand post-secondary students for our students?

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Earlier, I spoke about the link between post-secondary education and people's ability to get good jobs. We are all aware of the earning disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the Northwest Territories, yet this government is cutting Aurora College programs and failing to expand support for other growing institutions, such as Dechinta Bush University. Why has the government taken this course? Mahsi.