Debates of March 8, 2005 (day 51)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week we had a discussion on the vision of the Northwest Territories. It was a very good discussion amongst Members and the other side and, Mr. Speaker, in fact the Premier had some air time on CBC talking about the vision of the Northwest Territories. Mr. Speaker, when we look at the big picture of the Northwest Territories, there’s a key piece of this vision that needs to be included. It’s our elders, Mr. Speaker, and I want to see or hear from the Premier in terms of what type of support would he give our elders in the Northwest Territories as a reflection of this government in terms of having them play a role in our government in the North. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Return To Question 571-15(3): Role Of Elders In Government

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our elders are very important to us and to aboriginal cultures in particular. There is need, as we develop the strategy, to have some consultation as we talk about safe, healthy communities to ensure that there is a way for elders, whether it’s through band councils or through municipal councils or through their MLAs, to have some input into government and the things that we do as the Government of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 571-15(3): Role Of Elders In Government

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Premier is 100 percent correct; our elders are very key to us in our communities. I’m asking would the Premier consider the principles of supporting an elders' council with this territorial government, not just the band council, but in this government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 571-15(3): Role Of Elders In Government

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we put the strategy together -- and that’s our objective is to have a completed strategy for this year -- then we want to take it out for consultation. I would like to get input from a lot of the seniors about what we should be doing as a government, rather than me trying to decide what’s good for them. So I look forward to the consultation on the strategy, starting with the Circle of Northern Leaders and then branching out from there, and I welcome suggestions that seniors and others may have. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 571-15(3): Role Of Elders In Government

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in terms of the strategy starting with the Circle of Northern Leaders and other meetings with elders down the Mackenzie Valley, I guess I’m looking for a time frame. Could the Minister bring to this government a complete end result of the strategy to have discussion in the House in possibly looking at the involvement of elders within this government? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 571-15(3): Role Of Elders In Government

Mr. Speaker, my view or my vision of what this document will look like would be a document that would have pan-territorial chapters that would deal with things that go right across the North and then there would be chapters dealing with issues and priorities for the Northwest Territories. When we meet with the Circle of Northern Leaders, I want to present them with some draft action plans for them to start looking at and I hope at that time we would then have some feedback. I’m sure the Member will raise the issue about seniors at that time. We would take the comments from the Circle of Northern Leaders and go back and redo the action plans. I expect we can have turnaround within two or three months of the Circle of Northern Leaders where we would have something back. I also want to emphasize, Mr. Speaker, that the Northern Strategy is what we call a living document; it can be changed at any time as priorities change. So no one has to feel that things are frozen in time somehow and can never be added to the strategy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 571-15(3): Role Of Elders In Government

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I liked the Premier’s answers on the Northern Strategy as a living document that can be changed. Through the discussion that the elders give, can we give elders/seniors some special consideration in terms of being part of this government? I think we’re missing that key here in terms of how we do government and reflecting the traditional culture and values of the Northwest Territories. So would the Premier ensure, as close as possible, that the elders are involved in this whole development of the strategy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Premier, Mr. Handley.

Further Return To Question 571-15(3): Role Of Elders In Government

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree that the elders have to have an opportunity for input into it and I hope each of us as MLAs do make a point of talking with the seniors, with the elders within our constituencies. That’s one way of doing it. Now, Mr. Speaker, I’m certainly open to considering any kind of proposals that Members may have, the public may have, and seniors themselves may have in terms of how they may be involved. In saying that though, we have to keep in mind the costs of doing it and make sure that we’re doing it in a way not just for seniors, but for everybody’s input in a way that is most cost effective and does give us good guidance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.