Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to profile an incredible bunch of people and their achievements with limited resources. I will outline some appropriate GNWT responses to this inspiring example.
Some months ago Weledeh constituent and philanthropist Les Rocher made the old Pentecostal Church on 49th Street available to the Yellowknife arts community until the building was to be demolished. With little other support than the exceptional volunteer energy of its membership and access to recycled materials and a wellspring of talent, this amazing group of artists organized concerts, workshops, literature readings, exhibits and musical performances and more, something for almost every weekend for the past six months.
Culminating with a Hell Yeah Halloween Happening and Demolition Ball this weekend, the artist-run community centre has built a glowing reputation for its arts productions and community response.
During the election period the ARCC sponsored an all-candidates forum, which I and other Yellowknife MLAs were privileged to attend. We fielded many questions seemingly all from talented Weledeh constituents. The messages were clear. First, the NWT arts community is vibrant, ready and willing to act with a modicum of support and it is imminently worthy of diverse forms of investment.
Second, GNWT has a significant role to play in researching and facilitating how and in what form an NWT arts centre could come to be.
Third, we need to adopt policies for consistently including the arts in all public facilities.
Fourth, Aurora College should partner with an institution like the Emily Carr University of Art and Design for equivalent northern programs and our talented students.
Mr. Speaker, an arts centre can come about in many ways, but it can also run into difficulties when not based on sound experience and the right model. GNWT needs to work with the NWT arts community to examine models from other jurisdictions and to make recommendations for such a centre for the NWT.
As in other jurisdictions, GNWT should also dedicate at least 1 percent of its office building space to the arts in every community. As a specific recommendation, I would like to see us include an arts demonstration, exhibit and sales space on the ground floor of the GNWT office building being planned for construction where the ARCC now stands.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
Just to pick up again on that last specific recommendation, I would like to see us include an arts demonstration, exhibit and sales space on the ground floor of the GNWT office building being planned for construction where the ARCC now stands.
Finally, let’s direct Aurora College to establish an arts program, perhaps in conjunction with the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, during the life of our term. Such activities have a proven record for strengthening our communities' identity and our economy.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing this done. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Nadli.
