Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. I am grateful to be working with the Government of the Northwest Territories on the school build in Behchoko. This project is important to the community. Chief Jimmy Bruneau is almost 50 years old and was officially opened in 1972. Many of our Elders, the past and the present, have said Chief Jimmy Bruneau asked for a school to be built in his community so children do not have to travel in the barge across Great Slave Lake to attend residential school. The school was built by the Government of Canada in Edzo. In Edzo, it is about 50 kilometers away from Behchoko. Every day, students have to be bussed during the school year. If the students miss the bus, they miss a whole day of school. Their learning is interrupted.
Mr. Speaker, Chief Jimmy Bruneau school was built in Edzo without consultation. It was built based on what they thought was good for the people.
Mr. Speaker, it is good to hear that there is a commitment between the Government of the Northwest Territories and Tlicho government to work together on this important project. It is good to know regular working group meeting will be happening. And it is important that the leadership are informed. If the new school is built in Behchoko, it will be closer to the families and this will help with attendance. The learning outcome will improve. This will also allow the Elders to share their language and culture in the school. It will support the culture and language ensuring the Tlicho children, or any students that are attending school there, are strong like two people.
Mr. Speaker, this school is a great opportunity. It will help develop skills that are greatly needed in Tlicho regions. It will help with trades and local business opportunities.
Mr. Speaker, apprenticeships are good but you need a job. Introduction to trades like program offered at Aurora College, such as carpentry, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and many more are all important and greatly needed. I will have a question for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on this later. Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
