Statements in Debates
[English translation not provided.]
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank some of the Members in the House that will not be seeking re-election, that being David Krutko from our side of the House. It was good to work with David. He’s got lots of experience, as we all know; 16 years. I enjoyed a lot of good advice from David throughout my four years as MLA for Tu Nedhe.
I’d also like to thank Premier Roland for his work for the people of the Northwest Territories.
I’d also like to thank you, Mr. Speaker, for doing such a good job, in the four years I’ve been here, running this House.
I’d also like to...
Can the Minister briefly explain a little more on what some of the barriers or some of the obstacles would be for us to move into supporting the traditional healing as an alternative? Thank you.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about traditional healing practices that should be supported by the GNWT. I was generally referring to our own GNWT staff. I have questions for the Minister of Human Resources on the matter.
Can the Minister advise me if he has had any discussions at all in his department on traditional healing practices as an alternative to healing for our staff? Thank you.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. I am seconding the motion by the MLA for Nahendeh because I feel that before moving to a final devolution agreement, the Dene have to have the opportunity to do a thorough review of what is fully in the AIP and have their input into the AIP. This commission will give them the opportunity. If the commission is put together, that gives them the opportunity to work through the commission to have a good opportunity to look at the AIP as it stands.
All the Dene governments should be benefitting from the Devolution Agreement and they should be part of the decision-making...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister then work with the Department of Health to sort of look at what we would refer to as best practices maybe across the country, maybe across the territory, and look at the whole issue around traditional healing and allow traditional healers to be a part of the system when people are seeking an alternative healing method?
Can the Minister tell me if there is a plan to add traditional healing to recoverable expenses for GNWT employees when seeking alternative medicines for healing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Today I’d like to talk about support for traditional healing practices.
Mr. Speaker, traditional healing practices have been part of the Dene culture practices going back decades. There was no such thing as doctors, nurses or western medical practices in the early 1900s when the Dene people lived nomadic lives.
Mr. Speaker, some of the Dene people have special gifts for working with and using traditional medicines to heal certain illnesses. They are called traditional healers, and Dene naidi k’orel?a in Chipewyan.
Mr. Speaker, I believe the GNWT should seriously...
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think that the government should have this Heritage Act, as I see it, like a savings account but only use this fund or put money into this fund when all of the communities have what is required for them to function as a community.
Right now I have mixed feelings about a fund such as the Heritage Fund, a fund such as this, when we know that there are still communities in the Northwest Territories that don’t have basic essentials. The basic essentials that are afforded to larger communities in the Northwest Territories, that’s not a problem. They can save, put money...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister ensure that all early childhood development studies or reports or anything that pertains to preschool and the positive impacts of preschool are placed in the transitional documents for the next government? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.