Tom Beaulieu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I will be addressing the elders of Tu Nedhe in my language.

[English translation not provided.]

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

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. 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. On Thursday, August 25, 2011, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that the following persons be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for reappointment as members of the Human Rights Adjudication Panel, effective on December 1, 2011, for a term of four years: Ms. Joan Mercredi of Fort Smith and Mr. Adrian Wright of Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to ask the Minister if there are any early indications that the attendance at preschool is helping the students as they enter into primary school, secondary and high school. Thank you.