Norman Yakeleya

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Premier agree to put in place a joint committee with the lead Minister on the governance side and participation from regular Members to address and respond to issues related to the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline?

Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize my constituency assistant from Deline, and John Kenny, sub-chief, wise man and he is helping out with my office this week. Also to Gina Dolphus from Deline who is president of the Native Women’s Association. Fred Rabesca who is with Henry's group there, and Barry Harley who is the superintendent of MACA and Tony Grandjambe from Norman Wells. These are the guests from the Sahtu. Mahsi.

---Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my statement about March being the month to recognize aboriginal languages, my question is to the Premier, the leader of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I’d like to know what the Premier is doing in terms of the government in the direction of all the departments that he works with in terms of strengthening and respecting our languages in the Northwest Territories, especially in the Sahtu where our older people have the access to speak freely in their languages, rather than to run around and look for translators here and there. In all...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask the question again to the Premier. He may refer me to the Minister. However, Mr. Speaker, the other part of my Member’s statement has to do with the culture and we have a lot of people from outside the Sahtu that come into the Sahtu from the southern parts of Canada to work in their profession such as policing, nursing, teachers, social workers and other workers that come into the Sahtu region. I want to know what the government is doing to support those workers in terms of doing some cross-cultural training. There are some agencies doing it voluntarily, some...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. March is Aboriginal Languages Month. In celebration of that fact, I would like to speak today on the importance of language and culture in providing a definition of who you are as a person. Mr. Speaker, I ask also just to have initiatives towards language and culture in the Northwest Territories.

Mr. Speaker, as an aboriginal person, I can say that I’ve applied and understand the heart of the language and have close ties to the land and the laws of the Sahtu; they clearly define who I am as a person. These laws were taught to me by my elders and when you know who you are...

I apologize, Mr. Speaker, for using my questions up. I will keep it to language this time. Mr. Speaker, the language programs are key to the survival of the aboriginal people in our communities and I want to let the Minister responsible for language know that I want to keep in close contact in terms of the availability of our languages in the Sahtu region and in other small communities. I am not too sure if I am going to end up with a question here, Mr. Speaker, I think it is just a comment so I apologize.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated in my Member's statement, I have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment with regard to the future of our youth in the Sahtu region. I wanted to ask the Minister if he would enter into a discussion with the Minister of MACA to create opportunities for our youth, between education and MACA, for after-school programs to support our children and to get them off the streets and to give them an opportunity to have a good, positive life and all the good things that go along with the Minister's statement?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to acknowledge the contributions that the people in my region have made to youth and to sports and what a positive difference they have made in our communities. Many people donate their valuable time and talents to children who need support and encouragement so that they can have the opportunity to excel in their sports.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the many coaches and athletes from Deline for reaching out on both regional and territorial levels. Also, I would like to acknowledge the athletes from Tulita who have...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess on the short-term notice here, would the Minister consider dealing with the losses in the Sahtu region with our communities? I understand the long-term goals and aspirations are the separate health board for the Sahtu, however, when we’re looking at losses such as what we’re having in the Sahtu and how it contributes to many other areas in someone’s life, we’re looking for some guidance on this issue from this government here to take the measures to deal with it as soon as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome…as Mr. Menicoche said while I'm on a learning curve, I would like to recognize the visitor in the gallery, my spouse, Cheryl Bonnetrouge, who also supported me through this process. I want to say I love you, babe.

---Laughter

---Applause