Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. As per my Member's statement, I'd like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment some questions. Will the Minister have the Department of Education, Culture and Employment work with YK Dene First Nation on implementing components of Skills 4 Success? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. the department will be continuing the work with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. In the past, we have worked in partnerships with CanNor as well as with the Department of Tourism, Industry and Investment in the development of an Economic Development Strategy, as well as a Labour Force Strategy. Our goal is in the next few months to table an action plan on the Skills 4 Success document in this House, and we want to make sure that YKDFN is part of that and that we listen to their advice, listen to the direction that they want to go, and yes, we will be continuing that work with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I would like to thank the Minister for that response. Will the department commit to working in partnership with YKDFN on the development of the skill development in the two communities of Detah and Ndilo?
The department is committed to working with all our partners throughout the Northwest Territories. The Yellowknives Dene First Nations is a key stakeholder; obviously they are involved in a lot of the socio-economic agreements that we have with the mines. We're working with all partners that are involved in adult post-secondary education and skills training to support NWT residents. With the skills knowledge and attitudes for employment success we are committed to continuing working with Yellowknives Dene First Nation in how we can focus on developing the skills as well as the education, post-secondary education needed to get into the labour force or else meet some of our in-demand job needs, not only here in the region but right across the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if his department is able to commit funding to YK Dene First Nation for their skill development program.
Any program funding that the department does have is based on program eligibility, and funding applications must be submitted to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in order for funding considerations to be explored. Our department is working with partners or interested organizations to help them develop those proposals and applications moving forward. And, like I said, it's based on program eligibility and whether or not they do meet the criteria, but we are interested in receiving applications from the Yellowknives Dene First Nations and moving forward from there.
Masi. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, the YK Dene First Nations are interested in, of course, making all the appropriate applications; the deadline for those are on July 5th. They feel that they want to have a meeting with the Minister, this is scheduled for June 30th because of Session, but the community is asking if the Minister would be prepared to meet with them a couple of days earlier than what it scheduled on June 30th. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'm losing my voice here. I was back home doing a lot of talking over the last few days, and a lot of speeches the last couple of days as well. Unfortunately, during session time we are-- there's a lot of meetings that go on here in the House as well as session and going through our budget process. However, my schedule doesn't really confirm that I'd be able to meet before the 30th, although I will commit that officials in my department are available to meet before the 30th. Should a time open up that I might have some time, I will also look forward to trying to meet ahead of time. I know there is a short timeline to get the applications through. Pending availability I will keep in touch with our officials and I know our officials are talking with members of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and should a time come up I'd be happy to meet with them earlier than later.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.
