Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is in regard to the Joe Greenland Centre in Aklavik. This facility was built in 1978 and is now 30 years old. It is a level 3 facility, which provides 24-hour care for elders in Mackenzie Delta, Beaufort Sea and surrounding communities. This facility has provided a very top level of care for our seniors, our elders, a lot of whom have passed on. It is that sense of love and caring that only the Joe Greenland could provide. Over the 30 years a lot of people have worked in this facility, a lot of elders have lived out their days in this facility, but we also have to realize that this facility is 30 years old.
Mr. Speaker, a lot of people in the community of Aklavik went away to take training, then came back to the community and were able to acquire full time employment in regard to providing care in this facility. These people have now retired after working there for some 30 years. Again, we cannot lose sight of a high and growing population of elders in the Northwest Territories and what happens to our elders, especially in our smaller communities, and how we can retain that service and provide 24-hour care to our communities.
Mr. Speaker, a lot of elders and family members want their loved ones to live out their days in our communities, close to family and friends, and not have them go away to regional facilities in Inuvik or to the hospital for long term care or here in the Yellowknife in the dementia centre and other facilities that are being built in the larger centres.
In regard to this facility, it has survived three floods, yet, Mr. Speaker, very little by way of facility upkeep and improvements have been made besides replacing a roof and dealing with the foundation.
Mr. Speaker, as the government we have a responsibility to take care of our aging population, which makes up a large percentage of our population in the Northwest Territories. We cannot lose sight of the traditional values of aboriginal people: being a family unit, taking care of the elders and allowing them to pass on with loving care in our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Mr. Speaker, we can see through the budget process the number of dollars being expended in facilities, especially in the larger centres, and I’m talking about the dementia centre and health care facilities like the Northern Lights Special Care Home in Fort Smith. There is very little by way of government direction for elders in the Northwest Territories. There were facilities built in Aklavik, Deline, and also in Fort Resolution and Behchoko so that people can be taken care of in the regions. They can stay close to home and family members.
Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Members’ statements. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Roland.
