Debates of October 30, 2006 (day 18)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member’s statement today, I spoke of a need to fund a full-time Aboriginal Language and Culture Instructor Program so that those people that were interested in pursuing this as a career will be able to access the Student Financial Assistance Program. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, can the Minister inform this Assembly of the department’s plan to offer a full- time ALCIP program through Aurora College? Mahsi.

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

Return To Question 219-15(5): Aboriginal Language And Culture Instructor Program Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is an area that is extremely important to our department. As the Member pointed out in his statement, we have brought in a directive requiring schools to use the aboriginal language and culture funding for that purpose. We know that some schools are having trouble finding enough qualified instructors, so we have expanded the program. The program design work has been done so that the curriculum now goes for two full years. I would allow it to be a certificate program. It could be brought in. So we are ready to move to that. But, Mr. Speaker, at this point, the funds have not been identified to bring the program in as a full-time program. Thank you.

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

Supplementary To Question 219-15(5): Aboriginal Language And Culture Instructor Program Funding

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the ministerial directive clarifying the use of funding provided to deliver aboriginal and language programming in our schools as Minister Dent had identified, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell this Assembly how any schools in the NWT can be expected to employ a qualified ALCIP instructor when it takes them five years or more without funding or support to achieve this goal? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 219-15(5): Aboriginal Language And Culture Instructor Program Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We think it would be ideal if all of the people who were teaching language and culture in the schools had the ALCIP instructor course. That is not a requirement. We understand and recognize that elders in our communities are very able to transmit the knowledge of language and culture to students, so we believe that it is possible for schools to provide this training now. But I agree with the Member, that it would be ideal if we could expand the programming. That is the goal. I talked to the college. We are looking to identify funds and would hope to be able to bring this program forward as a two-year certificate program in the near future.

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

Supplementary To Question 219-15(5): Aboriginal Language And Culture Instructor Program Funding

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Just focussing on the expansion of the department’s vision and focus, would the Minister consider instructing the Aurora College to deliver a full-time ALCIP program in Behchoko as well as all communities in the North so that these communities can offer aboriginal language programming as set out by our own directive? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 219-15(5): Aboriginal Language And Culture Instructor Program Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The intention, now that we have the curriculum and as soon as we can find the money or identify the funding to offer this program, is to offer the program in various locations on a rotating basis. So it isn’t going to be offered every year in every community. We don’t think that there would be enough uptake to be able to do that. We want to make sure we have the critical mass of students and instructors. We are only planning to offer it in one community for two years and then move it around the North in that way to make sure that everybody has access to it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 219-15(5): Aboriginal Language And Culture Instructor Program Funding

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to see action results focussing on the expansion from the department’s perspective. Can the Minister commit in this House that this can be implemented in the fall time of 2007? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 219-15(5): Aboriginal Language And Culture Instructor Program Funding

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can’t make a commitment on next year’s budget until we have that budget in the House. I hope that we are going to be able to implement the program next year. We will do all that we can to ensure that we can see it happen. Thank you.