Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I was pleased to see part of our northern culture come into the Legislative Assembly, such as the feeding-the-fire ceremony and the drumming of the Inuvialuit people here.
Mr. Speaker, spring is outside, spring is in the air, and so are the geese and ducks. Many of the Sahtu people are still on their annual spring hunts while some of them are already out on the land and extending their time out there. It is a happy time out on the land, sharing nature’s beauty and annual renewal.
Last year, Mr. Speaker, we accounted for over 451 people who went out on the spring hunts in the Sahtu region. Mr. Speaker, right now there are elders out on the land ready to share their wisdom and knowledge with the young people. Some of the young people are unable to go because of the school dates and they have to stay in the communities.
It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, that this is an enlightened society we profess to live in and that the government would recognize the cultural and spiritual importance of the spring hunts and make allowance for children whose parents want them on the land during the spring hunt, without suffering the consequences of missing school days. Children who are aware and proud of their history and culture will have a better sense of self-worth and will do better within the confines of the regular classrooms.
As an aboriginal person, I have close ties with the land. I have learned much of what I know from my parents and grandparents. At some point I’d like to share what little I know with my little son.
Alas, Mr. Speaker, under the present system, spring break is in March. Last time I looked, Mr. Speaker, March is not spring north of 60. What I’d like to see is spring break during spring. May is a good month for being out on the land. Even if you allow one week in March and another in May for spring breaks, we would be further ahead and be able to take our children out on the land for reasonable periods of time to do some spring hunting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause
