Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I was speaking about funding supports from our government for the Kole Crook Fiddle Association. I think some of it’s done through the NWT Arts Council, so I would like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment about continuing the same level or even increased funding.
What type of funding guidelines are there with the NWT Arts Councils? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Minister of Education, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. The Kole Crook Fiddle Association has been very successful to date, since its inception in 2002. Since 2004, Education, Culture and Employment supported with funding through the NWT Arts Council, a Support to Northern Performers cultural contribution with a total of close to $250,000 since 2004. This averages $20,000 a year. We will continue to provide that valuable contribution to that organization. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I’m very pleased to hear this and, of course, the association is very pleased with the annual contributions. With the words of “passive restraint” going around, of course I’m up here advocating on their behalf that their annual funding doesn’t get cut back.
I’d like to ask the Minister, hopefully the NWT Arts Council isn’t impacted by our Passive Restraint Policy this year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the NWT Arts Council and the Support to Northern Performers contribution is based on the applications they receive. More specifically, the Kole Crook Fiddle Association has submitted one on an annual basis and they’ll continue to do so.
This is an area where we feel we should continue to support the youth, especially the youth who we sponsor over the years. As far as the 2,100 participants that benefitted from the workshop, even within a three-year timespan there have been 300 participants on an annual basis. This is a very successful project and we’ll continue to deliver that message to the organizations that are funding it as well. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I’m very pleased that the Minister recognizes the fact that certainly the music component that they’re delivering enhances and increases the ability of our students to learn and, therefore, is making our education system that much better. I’d just like to ask the Minister if he can evaluate that.
Is there another way that we can continue to support them as well?
This is a contribution through the organization that I spoke of earlier, and we can certainly look at those options as well. My Department of Education, Culture and Employment works closely with the NWT Arts Council and we will continue to support those organizations that submit their applications for these particular activities.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased to see the Minister support the efforts of the Kole Crook Fiddle Association.
I just want to ask the Minister, are there any other funding areas within the department that continue to support the association, as well, besides the NWT Arts Council?
We contribute to the NWT Arts Council to effectively contribute towards these highly successful projects or activities within the Northwest Territories, and there has been an increase in that funding over the years as well. We also evaluate on the funding, the criteria, the contribution we contribute on an annual basis. Like I said, it’s been increased over the years, so we can certainly look at those as well.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
