Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to announce the establishment of the Official Languages Board and Aboriginal Languages Board. The establishment of these boards is a major achievement for this government with respect to our commitment to the NWT official languages and the revitalization of aboriginal languages.

During the last Assembly, the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act set out 65 recommendations. Members of the 14th Legislative Assembly sent a strong message by accepting all 65 recommendations.

Mr. Speaker, this government has acted on those recommendations by making changes to the Official Languages Act. A year ago, we made several improvements including: the designation of our 11 official languages; a requirement to report on an annual basis to Members; and, the requirement to form two new boards each with separate and clear mandates.

Mr. Speaker, the Official Languages Board has a member from each official language community and is tasked with reviewing official languages services as well as the effectiveness of the Official Languages Act and making recommendations back to my office.

The Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board has members from each aboriginal languages community and has the responsibility to make recommendations on government programs and initiatives to ensure the promotion and revitalization of aboriginal languages.

As Minster responsible for official languages, I look forward to the future growth and strengthening of all our official languages. I know that the individuals appointed to the boards are committed to seeing their languages thrive. I want them to know they have my full support as they carry out this very important work.

The inaugural meeting of each of these two boards is taking place today and tomorrow and, on behalf of the GNWT, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to each of the board members who has agreed to serve. These individuals were nominated by their language communities and it speaks to the strength of their commitment that their communities have chosen them. For many of the board members, strengthening their languages is their life’s work. We appreciate their investment of time and energy into working with the GNWT to strengthen languages.

The members of the boards are:

Sabet Biscaye - representative for Chipewyan on the Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board;

Vance Sanderson - representative for Cree on the Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board;

Steve Petersen - representative for English on the Official Languages Board;

Fernand Denault - representative for French on the Official Languages Board;

Alestine Andre - representative for Gwich’in on the Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board;

Beverly Amos and Marie Jacobson as alternate for Inuinnaqtun and Inuvialuktun on the Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board;

Lena Pedersen - representative for Inuktitut on the Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board;

Lucy Jackson - representative for North Slavey on the Official Languages Board and the Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board;

Shirley Lamalice - representative for South Slavey on the Official Languages Board;

Philip Rabesca - representative for Tlicho on the Official Languages Board and Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board; and,

Aboriginal Languages Revitalization Board members - Violet Sanquez for South Slavey and Mary Rose Sundberg for Tlicho.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Mr. Dent. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Members of the House when I wish all of you well as you take on this very important work with official languages. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

---Applause