Ronald Bonnetrouge

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to the Minister for that answer. I'm not sure who the leadership of the day were at the time, but we have to be mindful of the fact that there's never any meaningful consultation by the federal government, nor the Government of the Northwest Territories in deciding to a impose land use plan into many communities, including this community. And a lot of times, they go on a plan, well, this is square so we're going to keep it square. You know, it's so...

Can the Minister enlighten this House to whether or not the First Nations community was invited for input on the...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I know it's been a very long day. Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise an issue of my First Nations members are having with the Department of Lands regarding riverbank lands. One of those communities, and it is a very small community, is off the main highway and very seldom do people, including tourists, venture into the community.

Mr. Speaker, this probably goes for many other small communities not accessible by highway. In most instances, the river is the only mode of transportation.

Mr. Speaker, the waterways, which includes rivers, are sacred to First Nations peoples, and...

Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Minister for that. I know he states there's handson experiences but I think shop centres and trade centres were built and developed for the larger centres and not necessarily the small centres. We really want to see some change to increase changes of students' success that could create a positive learning experience for them, then, you know, cost should not with be a stumbling block and waiting for decisions to be made others. I just reiterate again, will the Minister develop an action plan to initiate this initiative? Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak about an aspect of a young person's journey in education. It may very well encourage them in a career path.

As parents or educators, we always strive to get the best quality education for our young students so they can have success in life. Many will reach the biggest milestone of their young school life in obtaining their grade 12 graduate diploma. For many, the realization that graduating from grade 12 that it is not all that it is cut out to be when they realize the grade levels are not on par to get into postsecondary studies. Many have...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for that answer. Mr. Speaker, I want to relay my personal experience while attending school at Sir John Franklin, more of a comment to the Minister.

Coming from a small centre, this was a humbling experience. There were music classes, photography classes, automotive, mechanics classes, carpentry classes, coupled with drama and the arts. There was quite a bit of action happening at the schools. I just can't quite recall but I think I took them all. There may be logistical challenges but I believe we can overcome and meet those challenges head on. And...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are related to my Member's statement presented earlier regarding suggestions to incorporate life skills courses into schools to pique interest in career paths for students. Can the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment provide an update as to development of this initiative. Mahsi.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I brought up health centre concerns numerous times in emails, in Assembly meetings, and on the floor of the House. Mind you, these were all serious concerns having to do with misdiagnosis of ailments which most times were serious in nature with patients medevaced out to Yellowknife or Edmonton, many concerns with misdiagnosis of ailments and patients receiving wrong medications or placebos to tide them over, many instances of unprofessional conduct and concerns with confidentiality and patient records. Not many people would know of these issues at...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yes, I know the health centre, they're aware of all the problems, but they haven't been doing nothing for the longest time. Nobody's ever ever reached out to me from the department.

Mr. Speaker, I note the vision of the health department is for best health, best care, for a better future. One of the values is caring, which states we treat everyone with compassion, respect, fairness, and dignity. Another value is accountability, which states system outcomes are measured, assessed, and publicly reported on.

Mr. Speaker, I have been asking the health department if they would...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

ECE is responsible for the Northwest Territories’ education system from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. The system is made up of the department and 10 regional education bodies. These are similar to school boards.

The regional education bodies deliver services directly to students. The Education Act requires that NWT students have access to education programs that meet the highest possible standards and are based on the cultures of the Northwest Territories. Students may receive their education in any of the NWT’s 11 official languages. The act also says that students...