Debates of February 2, 2006 (day 21)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, (English not provided)

Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement earlier, I spoke about the government making aboriginal languages its priority. I commended the ECE on its effort to revive the ALCIP program. At this time, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister, though, what kind of commitment has been made to fund and support this essential program? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 319-15(4): Aboriginal Languages And Cultural Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the present time, this program is not funded as a base program, but is offered in partnership with the DECs across the Northwest Territories, so that they are paying for the delivery of the course when it’s delivered in the regions. There has been some discussion about the need to consider whether or not this should be one of the base programs, particularly when in the revised curriculum it becomes a two-year program. We are considering that, but have not in this budget included the funds for the college to offer that as a base-funded program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 319-15(4): Aboriginal Languages And Cultural Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that the ALCIP program is funded with official language money provided by the federal government. Is the Minister willing to truly make the aboriginal language and culture its priority and commit to manage this money? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 319-15(4): Aboriginal Languages And Cultural Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, we are taking a look at whether or not it would be useful to offer this program as a base-funded program through the college. We will have to work with the college after the curriculum is completed. As things stand right now, it is not a two-year program, but the new curriculum should turn it into a two-year program. Once that’s done, we can discuss with the college what it would take to ensure that this could be a base-funded program. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 319-15(4): Aboriginal Languages And Cultural Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister highlighted the new curriculum for the program, so I’d like to ask the Minister about the ALCIP programs being administered through various school boards; a difficult task, considering their mandate lies elsewhere. Can the Minister tell this Assembly what the college’s responsibility will be in the delivery of the new and revised ALCIP program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 319-15(4): Aboriginal Languages And Cultural Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The ALCIP program is a college program right now. It’s not administered by schools. The schools purchase the delivery of the program from the college, so they pay for the delivery. But the program itself is already a college program. What we’re talking about, though, is increasing the requirements of the program to a full two-year diploma-type course that would, we hope, then be offered as a base-funded program by the college.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Your final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 319-15(4): Aboriginal Languages And Cultural Program

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. As this is one of the top priorities for the communities, I just have a final question for the Minister. Can the Minister assure this Assembly that the ALCIP program will hold the same kind of validity as any other teaching program, and given its place in the only post-secondary institution at Aurora College, as well as proper accreditation recognizing its importance to the education of our future generations? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 319-15(4): Aboriginal Languages And Cultural Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We already consider this to be an important program. It is being used now to ensure that aboriginal language and culture instructors in the school are moved into the UNW funding or salary brackets already. So it is being used to ensure that our staff get the recognition that they should for their qualifications for teaching these important subjects.