Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, follow-up to my Member's statement earlier today: As I mentioned, many of my constituents in the Mackenzie Delta would like more on-the-land healing programs to be held within our riding. I'd like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services, when will the first on-the-land healing program be held at the Gwich’in Wellness Centre? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Health and Social Services.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Healing Voices Final Report from the Minister’s Forum on Addictions and Community Wellness that was released in May 2013 recommended that the department adopt culture-based approaches to dealing with treatment and wellness of people suffering from addictions. The top recommendation in that report was to increase the availability of on-the-land programming. To that end, the department has put in their budget $1.23 million for on-the-land programming that we flow to different governments and regions in the Northwest Territories.
We do have a contribution agreement with the Gwich’in. It's a multi-year agreement for two years, $125,000 a year for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to deliver on-the-land programming. We don't dictate to them how they run those programs. They design the programs that they feel will meet their needs. At this time, I'm not certain if they are using the Gwich’in Wellness Camp as part of their on-the-land programming. Thank you, Mr. Speaker,
That sounds great. I'd like to ask the Minister if he knows how often will programs be available, and will there be a schedule available to my constituents.
The agreement that we have with the Gwich’in involves a number of different camps. Camps will incorporate cultural practices that support wellness and healing through traditional methods, medicine, and social interactions. It's my understanding that they are going to be delivering programs in all four seasons here in the Northwest Territories. As far as how one would apply, I don't have that information in front of me, but I'll certainly talk to the department, get the details, and share with the Member on how the Gwich’in are intending to advertise these camps and how they're encouraging people to attend. I'll certainly share that with the Member when I get it.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Sahtu
