Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment... In the News/North newspaper last Monday it talked about a designation of territorial historical sites or events and in there it has Deline as a place of a significant event. I want to ask the Minister, in terms of the significance of this place being named as an historical site or event in the Northwest Territories, can the Minister explain to me the significance of this announcement.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yes, the Member is correct that there was an advertisement in the newspaper on February 22nd requesting input and feedback from the general public at large. It was a recommendation by an ad hoc evaluation committee that met on February 12th that identified 10 different key sites and events. The Member is referring to the event of the first recorded hockey game in the NWT. Those are the areas that we’ve highlighted in the newspaper and now we’re just waiting for feedback. The deadline for feedback submissions is March 3rd, so it’s just around the corner. Mahsi.
Mr. Speaker, I asked the Minister, in terms of after the feedback on March 3rd, what’s the process, what will happen after that process. And I want to ask him again: what’s the significance of this piece of information that’s been in the paper, in terms of Deline, in terms of resources, funding and recognition? What’s the significance?
Mr. Speaker, once we see the comments and the feedback, then we go back to myself, as the Minister responsible for historical sites and the events that will be before us. Then I’ll certainly review them and get feedback from the committee itself, the ad hoc committee, and just go along with the process and how it’s been done in the past.
This particular hockey that we talked about, the hockey game in the NWT, is one of the events of the Northwest Territories that’s been highlighted here in the House, but at the same time, Mr. Speaker, the federal government does not recognize that particular event that happened, because they’re saying, well, other events happen in Canada as well, particularly hockey games. Those are the areas we continue to talk about with the federal level or with the general public. Mahsi.
I’ve been raising this issue for a number of years until I’m green in the face. There is some movement in this government here. I will be talking to the federal government and I’ll be talking to them until I’m blue in the face. However, I want to deal with this one here, Mr. Speaker. In terms of the process, the Minister said he’ll deal with the process, but I want to know the significance and what will happen. Is that going to be a time when this government is going to do something in terms of Deline being the place where hockey was played in the Northwest Territories? I want to let the people know in Deline. They are pretty excited about this and the significance of this process here.
That is waiting to be seen, based on the comments and input from the general public-at-large. I certainly cannot make the decision on my own without input from the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, we have to keep in mind that the Deline First Nation, there was a study commissioned by them and the study doesn’t provide certainty that Deline is the birthplace of hockey in Canada. It was quoted in there. Mr. Speaker, they realize that Deline should be recognized for their important contribution to the history of hockey in Canada and for the strength of hockey culture in the community. So that is the report we received. We continue to work with the report and the general public comments and input by March 3rd. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Your final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That’s not what I want to hear. Maybe I’m asking the wrong way. What I’m asking for is when there’s a significant event or site recognized in the Northwest Territories, there is some kind of celebration, recognition, there’s funds, there’s stuff going to that event. Just like when they had the paving of the highway here, the last kilometre was paved, they had a big celebration. So I’m asking about that in regards to Deline. After feedback, after the process, what is this government going to do to signify if this is an event that is going to be supported by this government? What are they going to do?
That is what we’re waiting for: input from the general public. We just did an advertisement February 22nd and we have a few weeks to get input and comments from the general public. We did send out letters to stakeholders, as well, to receive their feedback. Until then, I can’t stand up here and say we’re going to recognize every single site, every single event that’s been put out there. Mr. Speaker, that’s why we want to hear from the general public of the Northwest Territories. Let’s hear them out and then I can get back to the Member on what the outcome is on the particular matter. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
