Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week we had a discussion on the vision of the Northwest Territories. It was a very good discussion amongst Members and the other side and, Mr. Speaker, in fact the Premier had some air time on CBC talking about the vision of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, when we look at the big picture of the Northwest Territories, there’s a key piece of this vision that needs to be included. It’s our elders, Mr. Speaker, and I want to see or hear from the Premier in terms of what type of support would he give our elders in the Northwest Territories as a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would ask the Minister then; when would this department or when would this government roll out its plans so that Granny from Nahanni or Uncle Orville from Colville Lake…

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…could see that they can only go to one place in the communities to have all these programs under one roof? Today we don’t see it; so when can we see it? Thank you.

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Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is to the Minister responsible for Seniors. Mr. Speaker, in the Sahtu region there are 199 elders who are over 60 years of age. Mr. Speaker, there are numerous government departments, services and programs that are for the elders; for a lot of them English is a second language or they do not speak English at all. A lot of them communicate in the aboriginal language of North Slavey. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister responsible for Seniors whether this government is planning any type of program that he oversees which can...

Just one question there, Mr. Chairman. Does what we’re saying get translated in our language back to the communities or is this straight English? I don’t follow APTN too much. Is this translated into North Slavey?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, in terms of being able to relax and not sit at the edge of the seat, the places that we are staying now in Yellowknife are really nice. I think we’re okay. I’m speaking for myself, Mr. Chairman.

I wanted to talk about the Cultural Enhancement Commission and I think it was a really good move. In one of your documents, one of your goals is to include the promotion of the Legislature as a place of the people and the place of the people is here in the Northwest Territories. So I think you are following up that and I support that 100 percent.

I...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, the Western Arctic Leadership Program has been in effect for a while. I believe it has been about 15 years. It is time that this government takes a look at the program to see the usefulness and effectiveness it has had on the communities. For my region alone, there were 20 people who went to this Western Arctic Leadership Program. I have had several calls from the communities of Deline and Fort Good Hope in terms of strong support for this Western Arctic Leadership Program. The government’s contribution to it is greatly appreciated. If the department...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I liked the Premier’s answers on the Northern Strategy as a living document that can be changed. Through the discussion that the elders give, can we give elders/seniors some special consideration in terms of being part of this government? I think we’re missing that key here in terms of how we do government and reflecting the traditional culture and values of the Northwest Territories. So would the Premier ensure, as close as possible, that the elders are involved in this whole development of the strategy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier is 100 percent correct; our elders are very key to us in our communities. I’m asking would the Premier consider the principles of supporting an elders' council with this territorial government, not just the band council, but in this government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Minister. I hope you’re not going to be building any other facilities in other regions. Like you say, there are camps and other facilities. There is one facility and I know there are other camps around south of the lake here, bush camps that should have more invested into those facilities. There is one up in Inuvik called the Tl'oondih Healing Society that had a camp there. I know there’s work going on up there. I think that’s been a success. I haven’t seen any reports yet from the department’s office in terms of how successful, but I think those type...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A few comments to the Minister and officials. Mr. Chairman, the issue of justice in the communities and the regions has always been an interest of mine and I’m encouraged to hear the Minister has taken some initiatives and some new ideas, I think, to promote the wilderness camps. I think it’s a good move. I told the Minister, Mr. Chairman, that I’d be happy to work on those initiatives and get them closely into the region as much as possible for the inmates. I also understand, Mr. Chairman, the difficulties of having the inmates going to these bush camps and any way...