Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the federal government began to establish itself in our communities and to assume the responsibilities of our lives and to govern all aspects of our lifestyle by first signing the treaties and the Metis script, then to work with the missionaries to convert our people into civilized people, and furthermore, to support the trading companies to begin the first economic development programs with fur trading, slowly over the years more and more established structures began to be part of our present life today. One of the biggest single established infrastructures that was brought in was public housing.
Our elders, as a matter of fact, my grandfather once told his chief that we as people should not move into government housing. This would not be good for us, he said. It’s a trap. We’ll always be in debt to the government. We are independent people and we need to continue to be independent. However, with the promise of $2 per month rent, it’s too good of a deal to pass up.
In Colville Lake at the Sahtu Secretariat Annual General Assembly I heard stories again and again from the elders talking about the government officials telling people that if they move into the government houses, they would only have to pay $2 a month for staying there. These testimonies are very strong and true today as we rely on our elders to continue guiding us and providing direction to all our lives. More importantly, what was said during the treaties.
Today I see the true words of my grandfather and my elders. We are so dependent on the government for everything: to get us water, to turn on our lights, to heat our homes, to feed us, and even to police us. We were so independent at one time. Today I see, and I hear, and I know my people are now living in warehouses and tents and overcrowded houses. Today the Housing Corporation says we owe thousands, no, millions of dollars for rent. We see the Government of Canada is going to stop the funding by 2038. That’s 27 years from now. Meaning that my son, who is nine years old today, when he turns 36 there will be no more social public housing in Canada. Good.
Mr. Yakeleya, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
We are often asked to rise up and begin to take full responsibility for our lives today. We have created it and now we must take back what once was ours. My only hope is that we do we act when the time comes. Remember, we continue to be slaves to the NWT Housing Corporation’s policies and they determine our fate in life. I say this doesn’t need to be our destiny anymore.
Housing is essential. It’s our home, our identity, our place we call home. NWT Housing Corporation needs to be really shaken up to help our people to keep their homes and start keeping people in the houses they once built and were once promised to us.
I witnessed our Minister work with one of my leaders this morning with the housing issue. I want to say thank you to the Minister for his leadership, and I know that we can solve our problems when we get our thoughts and minds together.
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
