Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when people leak confidential information, there should be consequences, but our ability to express is another issue. From Indigenous perspective, as an Indigenous person, a woman, we finally got our voice. As a result of the colonization, it destroyed our language, culture, and way of life. For so long, the racist Indian Act had power and control over our life. Not only that, it discriminated more against the Indigenous women. With this in mind, Mr. Speaker, I do not support this motion. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, given the closure of community learning centres and the limited upgrading options available, how does the department plan to ensure that Indigenous students from small communities can meet post-secondary admission requirements without being forced to leave home or return to institutions they are not comfortable attending? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister commit to reviewing the current student financial assistance policy to allow students to receive funding for academic upgrading at institutions outside of Aurora College, either online or outside of the territory, so that our students with -- our students with financial assistance needs have a greater choice and access to quality education?

She touched base on some of them, but I will ask this question. What is the GNWT doing to work with small communities that are currently without a counsellor to address these vacancies? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Indigenous elder-led counselling; it's not just a service, it is a lifeline. If we require every mental health worker to have a clinical degree, then we may be regulating some of the elders out of a job. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, how many elders or Indigenous counsellors are employed as part of the community counselling program? Thank you.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'll do it in my language. [Translation] Mr. Speaker, I am thankful for this bill that is in front of us, and I support it. In today's society, there's so many changes in our lives.  With this Act, I am amazed at what the nurses go through.  I didn't realize they didn't have their own Act, and everyone else has their own collective agreement except for them.  So the MLA from Yellowknife North has presented this bill.  I support her.  

Mr. Speaker, we been aware of this situation for a long time in the North.  Some of us don't have doctors living in our...

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's my understanding that some small communities do not have regular in-person access to counsellors who provide mental health supports. What steps is the department taking to address these gaps and ensure equitable access to this free service to all small communities across the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we need strong wellness supports in the Northwest Territories, specifically Indigenous and elder led counselling in the community counselling program. Mr. Speaker, our elders have knowledge, strength, and teaching that have sustained our communities through the trauma of colonizations, colonization and the loss of language and culture. Yet too often, elders are left out of discussions when the government is putting systems in place to support our people.

Mr. Speaker, many Indigenous people are struggling with intergenerational trauma and the ongoing impacts...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it has been over a decade since this program was implemented. Can the Minister commit to a formal evaluation of the elders in school program and provide information to the House about its continued funding and any support needed for its further implementation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we all need an elder in our lives. Sounds like we need one in here. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, the elders in school program was started in 2013. Can the Minister say how many schools across the territory currently employ an elder for this program? Thank you.