Debates of June 3, 2022 (day 118)

Date
June
3
2022
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
118
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Mr. Bonnetrouge, Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. C. Cochrane, Mr. Edjericon (remote), Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong.
Topics
Statements

Oral Question 1152-19(2): Apology from Pope Francis to Indigenous People

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is for Premier. Mr. Speaker, this is international news. July 2022, Pope Francis is going to be in Canada to make formal apology to the Indigenous people for the trauma experienced in residential school.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to know what is the GNWT plan in this process. What action assistance will the government do to help the survivors and families. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think it's the right thing for the Pope to come to the Northwest Territories, to Canada to speak to the people that are survivors. I think that the Pope does deserve to give or the people deserve to get an apology from the Pope. However, the GNWT, Mr. Speaker, is not taking a forefront role in this visit from the Pope, but we are here to support Indigenous governments in any actions that they wish to pursue as this work goes forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Well, I was hoping that the GNWT would acknowledge and recognize the trauma the Indigenous people experienced. And we have a lot there's a lot of mental health issues. And I was hoping the GNWT would acknowledge and recognize.

And this is where I was going I was hoping that they were going to send delegates. The Indigenous government council from NWT, I was hoping that they will be attending and that they will be in charge of leading, bringing delegates to Edmonton, and that they will be paying for the full cost for people attending because that's I think that's the only right thing to do is for this government is to recognize and acknowledge that the trauma the Indigenous people experienced. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's just for comment. She doesn't need to reply. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. I'll give the Premier an opportunity to respond. Honourable Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, recognizing that the GNWT does stand with the Indigenous governments on the actions with this, my understanding is the Dene Nation has taken the lead in this work. And I will make a commitment that I will reach out to the leader of the Dene Nation, Grand Chief I believe, to be able to see what kind of assistance that he needs from the GNWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Honourable Premier. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.