Debates of March 18, 2004 (day 3)

March

18

2004

Day

3

Speaker

Word

Members Present

ITEM 1: PRAYER

Assembly Members

Member Default

Mackenzie Delta

Member Default

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Member Default

Yellowknife South

Member Default

Member Default

Hay River North

Member Default

Member Default

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Member Default

Yellowknife Centre

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Kevin A. Menicoche

Member Default

Michael Miltenberger

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Inuvik Boot Lake

Member Default

Robert Villeneuve

Member Default

Norman Yakeleya

Member Default

Topics

Committee Report 1-15(3): Standing Committee On Accountability And Oversight Report On The Review Of The Draft 2004-2005 Main Estimates

Committee Report 2-15(3): Standing Committee On Social Programs Report On The Review Of The Draft 2004-2005 Main Estimates

Further Return To Oral Question 9-15(3): NWT Housing Needs Survey

Member's Statement On Clawback Of National Child Benefit Supplement

Member's Statement On Implementation Of Changes To The Motor Vehicles Act

Member’s Statement On All-Weather Highway To Link Tuktoyaktuk To Inuvik

Member’s Statement On Crowded Classrooms In Yellowknife Schools

Member’s Statement On Family Involvement In Sport

Member’s Statement On Land Claims Obligations

Member’s Statement On Listening To The People

Member’s Statement On Management Opportunities For Aboriginal Employees

Member’s Statement On Resource Development Trust Fund

Member’s Statement On Road To The Northern Leaders Meeting In Hay River

Member’s Statement On Timely Receipt Of GNWT Records Of Employment

Minister's Statement 3-15(3): Report On Federal/Provincial/Territorial Meetings

Minister's Statement 5-15(3): Implementation Of New Municipal Governance Legislation

Minister’s Statement 4-15(3): Aboriginal Languages Month

Minister’s Statement 6-15(3): Winter Road Report

Motion 1-15(3): Appointment Of Deputy Chairpersons Of Committee Of The Whole, Carried

Motion 2-15(3): Setting Of Sitting Hours By Speaker, Carried

Motion To Move Committee Report 1-15(3) To Committee Of The Whole, Carried

Question 24-15(3): Land Claims Obligations

Question 25-15(3): Update On New Housing Re-investment Proposal

Question 26-15(3): Standing Committee On Non-Tax-Based Communities For The 15th Assembly

Question 27-15(3): Motor Vehicles Act Amendments – Mandatory Drug And Alcohol Awareness Training

Question 28-15(3): Permanent Trust Fund For Residents Of The NWT

Question 29-15(3): Delayed Receipt Of Record Of Employment Forms

Question 30-15(3): Clawback Of National Child Benefit Supplement

Question 31-15(3): Raising Revenues Through The Sin Tax

Question 32-15(3): Non-Insured Health Benefits – Growing Deficit

Question 33-15(3): Federal Government Honouring Commitments To The Non-Insured Health Benefits Program

Question 34-15(3): Supporting Resource Development In Small Communities

Question 35-15(3): Fair Treatment Of Tax-Based Communities

Question 36-15(3): Formal Process For Receiving The Public’s Suggestions For Fiscal Restraint

Statements

Minister’s Statement 4-15(3): Aboriginal Languages Month

Member Default

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, on the first day of this session, Mr. Yakeleya rose to speak about celebrating Aboriginal Languages Month. He spoke with passion about his own language and culture and how important that has been shaping the person he is today.

I would also like to recognize the importance of Aboriginal Languages Month.

Mr. Speaker, this month we celebrate the important role language and culture play in the daily lives of many of our residents. Aboriginal languages provide a way for aboriginal people to maintain and express their culture, traditions and build a strong foundation for self-determination and self-government.

We have a number of dedicated individuals across the Northwest Territories who have made the maintenance and enhancement of aboriginal languages their life’s work. Like those of us in this House, they recognize the importance of language and culture as a foundation for a strong and healthy future.

Mr. Speaker, the language communities play an important role in determining priorities, planning activities and ensuring that the Government of the Northwest Territories understands the needs of the various language groups. Even in these times of fiscal restraint, the language communities are working hard to bring their language to the forefront of daily life in their communities.

I would like to assure those working in the language communities that this government is committed to continued support for language activities. To meet the recommendations laid out in the report of the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is establishing two language boards. These boards will play a vital role in our ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance aboriginal languages. I am asking language communities to consider which individuals they would like to see on these boards. Mr. Speaker, a formal nomination process will be initiated by the department in the near future.

With community support, commitment and efforts, aboriginal language activities will continue to show positive results. Mr. Speaker, I join Mr. Yakeleya in urging the celebration of language and culture. Mahsi, quanna, marsi, qujannamiik.

---Applause