Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] About 400 years ago there was now here in the Northwest Territories our communities, we liked to name our communities using our Dene language. I feel that would strongly support the culture and also the people that have access to schools and, therefore, the history. If they have to change the names to a Dene name they would have to go through MACA.
In the past there were other communities like Tuktoyaktuk in the 1950s. When they changed their name in 1993, Fort Franklin, they reverted back to their Dene name of Deline. Tsiigehtchic also changed their name in 2006. Ulukhaktok also changed their name back to their Inuit name.
I would like to know if Education, Culture and Employment and Municipal and Community Affairs, if we work together we would likely be able to change our present English names to our Dene names for the communities.
The Hay River Reserve is presently K’atlodeeche and Fort Providence is called Zhahti Koe and Kakisa is called Ka’a’gee tu. If we could name our communities in our Dene language, we would feel proud and our culture would be strong and also make the people feel good about their language and their culture. Perhaps if we talked about it those Dene names would be accomplished.
[Microphone turned off]…Mr. Yakeleya.
