Madam Speaker, settling and implementing treaty, land, resources, and selfgovernment agreements is a priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories and a key part of the mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories. Concluding agreements with our Indigenous government partners will advance reconciliation, recognize and affirm Indigenous and treaty rights, support program and service delivery by Indigenous governments, and set the stage for economic selfdetermination.
I understand why many MLAs and residents want to see faster progress on resolving outstanding land claims. This work has been underway for decades and Northerners, including myself, want to see the modern treaties settled. Madam Speaker, when negotiating agreements we must also recognize that for many of the Indigenous governments, there are strong feelings rooted in a history of colonization and mistreatment. In many cases, there is significant mistrust in the Government of the NWT. The territorial government is seen as a competitor, as a colonial imposition, or, in some cases, an illegitimate government altogether. This, of course, and makes the negotiations process much more complex and makes the work of relationshipbuilding critical to making progress.
I am proud of the work we have done during the life of this government to advance negotiations. A particular focus has been placed on meaningful engagement and building on our collaborative partnership with Indigenous governments. In 2020, this government implemented a first of its kind collaborative development protocol for lands and resources legislation, building on the promise of devolution to work better with Indigenous governments. This protocol is unique in Canada.
Madam Speaker, this government has also established new intergovernmental tables to work directly with Indigenous governments, including:
A modern treaty and selfgovernment partners table that allows for dialogue around the implementation of land claims and selfgovernment agreements between those Indigenous governments with settled agreements and the executive council members; and,
An NWT Council of Leaders table where all Indigenous governments meet with the Government of the Northwest Territories and work on matters of common concern, including the implementation of the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Madam Speaker, these tables did not exist prior to this government. This work is meant to build relationships and help set the conditions for trust and success in all our work with Indigenous governments. We also worked very closely with the Indigenous governments during the pandemic and continue to engage on a range of shared objectives, including everything from housing to climate change.
Madam Speaker, I am proud of how this government has changed our approach to work more collaboratively with the Indigenous partners, to listen to their concerns, and to be flexible and accommodating in order to advance negotiations. In this regard, I believe we set a positive example for others to follow throughout Canada.
Early in this government, Indigenous leadership told me that they were frustrated by the negotiating mandate on core principles and objectives used by the Government of the Northwest Territories that sets out a mandate related to the standards expected of Indigenous selfgovernments. The core principles and objectives were originally adopted as an innovative madeintheNWT solution to a federal mandate requirement to have Indigenous selfgovernments
"Meet or beat" existing federal or provincial standards. To address the frustration, I asked that we assess its usefulness. As a result, this government eliminated that mandate in the interest of advancing files.
Madam Speaker, we need to be thinking outside the box when it comes to negotiations. In an effort to do so, we have also taken the extraordinary step of clearly stating the Government of the Northwest Territories' key principles and interests guiding negotiations. No territorial government before has done this. Making the key principles and interest public is a significant commitment to transparency and provides more openness on the interests of the Government of the Northwest Territories in negotiations.
In addition to the key principles and interests, I also heard complaints that Indigenous governments felt the territorial government did not have mandates in negotiations. We have since summarized our comprehensive mandates and made those summaries public, further demonstrating our commitment to concluding agreements.
I have never been content to just let negotiations continue without trying new things. However, residents should know that delays in completing agreements are complex. As we explore new ideas and approaches, we must recognize that sometimes Indigenous governments need time to build the understanding and support within their membership, or that the Government of Canada, a partner in all negotiations, might introduce a new concept to the table that requires further examination.
These governments also have elections and changes in leadership. Of course, delays might simply be the result of any party taking a hard position and being unwilling at the particular moment in time to explore interests that might see a different solution emerge.
Madam Speaker, I am proud of how this government has changed its approach to work more collaboratively with our Indigenous partners, to listen to their concerns, and to be flexible and accommodating in order to advance negotiations. I continue to be willing to
Hear from Indigenous governments what compromises on both our parts are the key to concluding agreements.
There is less than a year left in the life of the 19th Legislative Assembly. I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm this government’s commitment to work toward settling and implementing treaty, land, resources, and selfgovernment agreements over the next year. This work has required significant effort, not just for the Government of the Northwest Territories but for Indigenous governments throughout the territories, and I want to close by acknowledging and commending their efforts in these areas as well. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Ministers' statements. Minister for Education, Culture and Employment.
Madam Speaker, as employment levels reach historic heights, tight labour markets are being experienced across the Northwest Territories and Canada. To address labour shortages, the Government of the Northwest Territories is working to strengthen our northern workforce through legislation, funding programs, academic and technical supports, and enhanced programs and policies.
Madam Speaker, Skills 4 Success is the GNWT’s overarching labour market framework. Its purpose is to improve employment success for NWT residents, close skill gaps for indemand jobs, and more effectively respond to employer and industry needs. The Skills 4 Success Action Plan for 2021 to 2025 was released earlier this year and will serve as a roadmap for education, training, and skills building activities and investments.
Madam Speaker, we are making progress in several areas. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is building a comprehensive postsecondary education system through the PostSecondary Education Act, which will establish the framework to recognize postsecondary education institutes and programs in the NWT. Work continues to transform Aurora College into a polytechnic university to increase access to quality postsecondary education opportunities for Northerners and provide training for jobs in demand.
A review is also underway to improve our student supports under the NWT Student Financial Assistance Program. Each of these pieces is important as we evolve postsecondary education in the NWT and equip students for successful careers.
Madam Speaker, to meet the needs of our workforce, ECE delivers a suite of labour market programs which provide funding for a variety of areas such as training, wage subsidies, and job creation. The department is also working on making labour market information easily accessible for our residents to guide them in their education and career planning.
Madam Speaker, we know that there is a high demand for tradespeople across the NWT and Canada. To support our trades workforce, the department launched innovative supports this year.
Build Your Skills is a program that helps to identify any gaps apprentices might have in their skills set and supports them to achieve those requirements in areas such as math, reading and science. To assist apprentices who face challenges with technical training, the department also launched the Virtual Learning Strategist pilot, an online learning platform that pairs each apprentice with a learning strategist. The learning strategist will work with the apprentice to identify challenges such as skill gaps, learning disabilities, exam anxiety, and individual factors that could affect their performance.
Madam Speaker, this week across Canada, National Skilled Trades and Technology Week will be celebrated as we raise awareness of the many career opportunities in the skilled trades and technology sectors in the NWT and nationally. This week, we honour the 40 Apprenticeship High Mark Award recipients and the 52 individuals who have obtained journeyperson certification this year in the Northwest Territories. I offer my congratulations to all the award recipients on their achievements and extend my thanks to employers of apprentices.
Madam Speaker, high employment rates, although positive for job seekers, can be difficult for employers struggling to fill vacant positions. This fall, the GNWT introduced a new Francophone stream to the Northwest Territories Nominee Program. This was identified as an action of our 20172022 Immigration Strategy to attract foreign nationals whose skills are aligned with current workforce needs, and to increase Francophone applications to the nominee program. One key difference in the new stream is that the nominee is the one to complete the application process, allowing employers to focus on running their operation as opposed to completing paperwork.
Madam Speaker, the people of this territory are the greatest resource and the driving force behind the territory’s economy and sustainable communities. This government is dedicated to equipping residents with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need for employment success. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Minister responsible for the Status of Women.
Madam Speaker, at the appropriate time today, I will table Changing the Relationship, the final action plan in response to the Calls for Justice on missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. At its core, this action plan is about relationships Our relationships with institutions, governments, people, and history.
The national inquiry examined the causes contributing to the ongoing violence and systematic vulnerabilities that continue to disproportionately affect Indigenous women, girls and two spirit persons. They found that the thousands of truths shared reinforce the existence of acts of genocide against Indigenous women, girls and two spirit persons. Many of those acts are sadly well known in the Northwest Territories.
I have said it before, Madam Speaker; most Northwest Territories residents, and certainly everyone in this room, know someone who has attended a residential or day school, whose grandparent lost a family member during the '50s and '60s tuberculosis outbreak, or whose sibling was taken away during the '60s Scoop. We may also know someone whose friend, sister, or mother suffered from violence or was taken away by violence from her family too soon.
We continue to see disproportionately higher rates of poor heath indicators, lower education attainment, and other negative social, health, and economic indicators across the Northwest Territories' Indigenous population compared to the rest of Canadians.
In 2019, the Calls for Justice challenged jurisdictions across Canada to acknowledge that colonialism is not only a discrete event in the past but that it built systems, institutions, practices, and ways of thinking that are still around today. For example, residential schools might be closed but the deeper-rooted notion that Indigenous people are better off to be educated under a Eurocentric-designed system is not. The connection between the past and the present day and how this past continues to influence government, policies and culture and continues to impact people across Canada. It impacts every one of our relationships with ourselves, others, with communities and with government.
Only through understanding this, can we begin to take action so that Indigenous women, girls, and genderdiverse people are granted the same safety and security as their nonIndigenous friends, colleagues, and neighbours.
Changing the Relationship aims to understand and to find ways to change all of these relationships. Guided by engagements with Indigenous governments, community governments, and people with livedexperience, this action plan is a culmination of years of work that is intended to dismantle colonialism and racial and gendered discrimination from all levels of government and public institutions.
As the Minister responsible for this action plan, I feel the weight of the challenges ahead but also privileged to be in a position of such tremendous trust and with so much opportunity for change.
The team supporting the work of the National Inquiry prepared 233 pages of recommendations collected from 98 different inquiries, inquests and reports across the country, looking for answers to the challenges of decolonization and antiracism. Without fundamentally altering the underlying relationships through which we read and apply these recommendations, the change that they might otherwise achieve remains fleeting.
Therefore, before getting into the individual or departmentspecific actions, we start out with a comprehensive approach for changing relationships with government and within government through change leaders throughout the public service. Our list of action items are then grouped according to the themes presented within the national report; namely, culture and language, health and wellness, human security, and justice. Some are specific, such as expanding the Northern Distance Learning Program while others are more farreaching such as leading a systemwide shift towards a culturally safe and relationshipbased health and social services system.
In every case, achieving these action items will not only be changing the systems, pathways, processes, and outcomes for Indigenous women, girls, and genderdiverse people but will also be transforming the way we govern in ways that will benefit every single resident of the Northwest Territories.
Madam Speaker, the life of every mother, sister, auntie, daughter, or friend who has died, gone missing, been hurt, or been in any one of many ways silenced, is being heard. Their voices are the voices within the National Inquiry's final report and its Calls to Justice. These voices have carried us to a moment where we have an opportunity as a government, as a Legislative Assembly, and within our society to plant seeds of change. I am planting seeds with this action plan, but I am relying on every colleague in this room, and fellow leaders in every Indigenous government assembly, and in every municipal council chamber, to plant their seeds. Together, nurtured by a new sense of relationship, these seeds will grow into a strong and healthy forest. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I want to talk about MTS and the community resupply delays.
The reasons for these delays have been attributed to others and always no fault of our own management. This government is normalizing and accepting of this substandard form of service.
Madam Speaker, the Minister responsible for MTS previously stated reasons for not making the delivery to Sachs Harbour. What we have heard was that coast guard were late setting buoys, the Hay River channel was an issue, flooding in Hay River delayed access to the harbour, climate change was an impediment, fuel hoses were sabotaged in Norman Wells, weather was a factor, they were helping a company with fuel delivery, that they were waiting on suppliers, and the list goes on. Madam Speaker, what the Minister does not say, that while not making deliveries to Arctic communities which rely on annual resupply, is that MTS was busy delivering fuel to the North Warning System in Nunavut. They were delivering freight to Sabina Gold in Nunavut which had to be completed by others. They were shuttling fuel from the Torm Lily, a fuel ship, to Tuk.
Madam Speaker, while communities were waiting on resupply, MTS vessels were busy servicing other customers at the expense of northern communities.
Madam Speaker, this government purchased the assets of NTCL for the main reason of providing uninterrupted and timely resupply of goods to communities, something we have trouble with and accept failure with consequences for no one. I question who is providing management and oversight of MTS.
Any company, or person who has worked in the North will know that there are many factors that could impact a project. Knowing this, MTS management and this government should be prepared to adjust the bestintentioned plans with optional timelines and delivery mechanisms based on the many elements that work against timely delivery. These elements include weather, water conditions, ice conditions, mechanical issues, reliance on third parties, personnel, and taking on additional contracts. And in the end, the priority must be the communities and not that of bidding on other work if it interferes with community resupply.
Madam Speaker, we have asked this government to review the corporate structure and management of MTS for a reason; that reason being to identify a corporate model with experienced management that would provide safe, dependable, efficient, and timely delivery of goods and services to those communities relying on annual resupply. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last Friday, I spoke in the House about a housing shortage in Paulatuk. I described to the Members and the Ministers about a young couple living in a tent frame; a young couple that's been trying to get into public housing since their baby was one month old. It's unbelievable that the baby's 13 months old, and I'm still advocating for the family to have a roof over their heads, Madam Speaker.
This government has allowed a newborn to go without adequate shelter in the first full year of her life. The Minister stated, "Right now I don't know what units are available in Paulatuk." Madam Speaker, I can tell you Unit 65 is still available in the community.
I represent my constituents. I need my Minister to take action, Madam Speaker. A couple of months they completed their work a year and a half ago, the paperwork is in, they had patiently waited, winter's sitting in. It's minus 20 in the community, Madam Speaker. I have support from the community leadership. I'm asking this Minister, Member to Member, to take authority to provide Ministers to ensure that the family has a roof over their heads by this weekend. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Carlson Construction of Edmonton completed the Lanky Court apartment complex in 1976. At the time, CMHC was the mortgage holder with a 50year loan in place the projected lifespan of the property. Carlson Construction leased the property to the NWT Housing Corporation for 15 years with the GNWT holding a onetime option to purchase, exercisable in 1991. The building was originally intended to accommodate GNWT staff.
Madam Speaker, in August 1988, a report was commissioned, "Lanky Court A Study of Building Rehabilitation for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation." This report advised the GNWT that they would need to spend $2.6 million to rehabilitate the Lanky Court Apartments. The property’s appraised value at the time was $2.7 million.
In August of 1989, the fire marshal condemned the Lanky property due to electrical hazards created by longstanding roof membrane and envelope issues that dated back to construction. Madam Speaker, all of these problems are well documented in the 1988 report.
Northview currently owns the complex, and we all know they rely on public housing revenue for their northern portfolio. And we all know, Madam Speaker, what type of landlord this massive national REIT is.
Recently a tenant was paid more than $4,000 after maintenance crews left moldy stinking holes in common areas after repairing a leaky pipe. We have heard complaints in this House about the recent cockroach infestation. The Yellowknife Housing Authority says they are aware of the insect issue and are working with Northview to remedy the problem. However, tenants report being threatened with fines if they can’t get out of their apartment to allow it to be sprayed yet the pest control specialists don’t show up at the scheduled time.
We have one family living in hotel rooms due to the unabated mold growing in their apartment; and, trying to help a mother of five, one in a wheelchair, get the boardwalk cleared of snow so her son can attend school. She doesn’t know what she would do in the event of a fire other than to drop her son off the boardwalk for a twostorey drop.
Madam Speaker, as the 50year projected lifespan of the Lanky Court Apartments comes to an end, what has the Housing Corporation done to ensure the property is habitable? If it was deemed unsuitable for GNWT staff housing in 1989, why is it acceptable for it to be used for public housing clients now? I will questions for the Minister of Housing at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, today I would like to speak once again about the issues and barriers that exist for regular people within Housing NWT.
Madam Speaker, in my experience as an elected leader over the last 15 years, I've come to see that there seems to be a real disconnect between the administrators of the Housing NWT and the people who use their services. It seems that there's an increasing lack of compassion given to people and a growing and strict inherence to bureaucracy and policy. And this is coming at a cost of the dignity and respect of the clients who use Housing NWT.
People who live and use public housing are almost always the most vulnerable in our communities as they are usually low income, might be struggling with employment, or may have issues with addictions. These are regular people just trying to get by yet at times it's almost like they're being punished because of past mistakes they made, or they're just being overlooked because of internal bias.
Madam Speaker, I'd really love to see Housing NWT think outside the box in their efforts to address constituent housing needs. I think the department needs to consider some serious structural and systematic changes in order to better serve the people of the NWT. There needs to be more done than just change the name of itself from the Housing Corporation to Housing NWT.
Ultimately, there needs to be a stronger leadership, coming from the top down, that will produce betters results for our residents. It's the only way positive changes will be done with strong leadership.
Madam Speaker, last week, on October 27th, I tabled a letter from the NWT Seniors Society directed to the Minister of Housing NWT. Their letter outlines various issues and concerns that seniors have been dealing with from Housing NWT. For example, they said that many of the structures that are intended to support residents are broken and that local housing authority boards, which were originally intended to be a tool to aid tenants, appear to become a tool of the Housing NWT.
They state that when some seniors identify maintenance issues to their authority, they are subject to ridicule, intimidation, harassment and disrespect followed by eviction. Madam Speaker, may I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
In closing, Madam Speaker, I totally agree with the NWT Seniors Society here, because I have had several of my constituents deal with this identical situation. I echo the seniors society that this is totally unacceptable and cannot continue. Nobody should live in fear and insecurity or be threatened with becoming homeless, period.
I also hope that the Minister will follow up with the NWT society and meet with them as they were requested in the letter. I will have questions for the Minister of Housing NWT at the appropriate time. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Monfwi.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. On October 20th, the Minister of Health and Social Services said, quote, "The simple reason that we do not have a treatment centre in NWT is because they don't work", end quote. Because a northern centre has not been successful before, she implied it is not worth trying again.
I would like to understand the evidence the Minister relies on. To my knowledge, there is no research that says treatment centres do not work. Instead, we hear about more progress across the country in Indigenousled design of healing and treatment centres.
The NWT residents, particularly those in small communities, will continue to question the department on their position as long as information is not shared in a transparent way, because it seems there has not been analysis of strategies and outcomes with NWT treatment centres.
If we look back at the Office of the Auditor General's report on addiction prevention and recovery services, we read that the department of health and authorities did not know whether their services were effective, quote, "because they did not sufficiently measure clients' outcome or use data to analysis trends", end quote.
We all know how much need there is for programs and services that help with healing. We cannot give up because we have a diverse population and it is hard to do. The 21st Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls for holistic healing centres for Indigenous people and even singles out Nunavut and Northwest Territories as priorities for where these centres should be established. Let's turn this into an opportunity for the federal government, Government of the Northwest Territories, and Indigenous governments to work together and make something happen.
The Minister has said it is preferable to provide a wide range of service options. These service options need to include a facility in NWT but otherwise I agree with the Minister. With the contract between Poundmaker's Lodge and the GNWT terminated, there are now only five southern facilitybased options for NWT residents who seek addiction treatment.
I want to remind the Minister that the Tlicho people have selfgovernment. There should be direct consultation with the Tlicho government on these matters. Madam Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude.
Unanimous consent granted
They are well positioned to help the Government of the Northwest Territories understand what adequate barrierfree culturally safe care looks like. In the meantime, the Tlicho government is forced to look at what it can do to fill the gaps in the services and systems under GNWT jurisdiction. Thank you. I will have question for the Minister of Health and Social Services. Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last week your Standing Committee on Government Operations reported on the 20202021 Public Accounts. One aspect of their report that has been subject to recent media coverage was the $194 million deficit of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. That's a shocking fiscal reality for this government, already cash strapped, to bear, and it's only expected to increase with the realizations on major operation deficiencies.
Looking at other major spending items in recent times, we now know that the cost to repair the catastrophic flood in Hay River, the town of Hay River, in excess of $174 million. We know that the Inuvik Wind Project was $30 million over budget. We know that the government is continuing to pursue infrastructure megaprojects like the Taltson Hydro Expansion and the Slave Geological Province Road, and the price tags are in the several billions of dollars.
Madam Speaker, it goes without saying that the money doesn't grow on trees and, at the end of the day, all these accounts add up. Despite a rosy budget speech from the Minister of Finance, if you talk to anyone in our communities and the streets, they all tell you the Government of the Northwest Territories is broke. The government has also hit its debt ceiling and won't be able to borrow without a new deal from the Government of Canada. Meanwhile, our revenues are flat, our diamond mines are closing, taking 30 percent of their GDP with them.
Madam Speaker, the day of fiscal reckoning will be soon athand. This government will have to either increase revenues or decrease expenditures. Without a clear source of future revenue, the only option for our future will be cuts to service jobs in the public sector.
Let me be clear: I don't like any of these options but at the end of the day, it's simple math. So my question for this government is equally simple: When are the cuts coming? Tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Or next year?
Madam Speaker, we're in the House. We have the dubious privilege of knowing the government plans before they happen through our work behind closed doors in the standing committee. Our hands are tied in what we can say and do with this information; however, I feel we owe it to the people of the Northwest Territories. I feel our residents needs to be honest about the financial crunch, especially when it comes to means of hundreds of jobs might be lost. No matter how unpopular such realities may be, we must confront them head on and ensure that they are planned according to maintain both adequate levels of public service to our residents and protect as many jobs as possible. I'll have questions for the Minister of Finance today. Thank you.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Kam Lake.
Madam Speaker, in 2016, the GNWT created the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. The NTHSSA was created to provide efficiencies and streamline administrative services for the regional health authorities. It was thought at the time that one agency to manage procurement and administration could save money, provide consistency, and manage the ongoing deficits from the regional boards.
Unfortunately what happened, Madam Speaker, is that the NTHSSA now takes procurement and decisionmaking away from the regions while the health deficit continues to grow.
NTHSSA's annual operating deficit costs have exceeded budgeted expenses in each of the five past fiscal years. NTHSSA's latest annual report released in September demonstrates that the combined operating deficit, that started at $50.8 million in 20152016, has now grown to $193.7 million. The report cites numerous reasons for the deficit which include:
cost of overtime due to staffing shortages;
underfunded locum costs;
unfunded or underfunded programs;
unfunded growth in healthcare positions; and,
underfunded COVID19 costs.
The report notes in most cases increases were primarily due to unbudgeted COVID19 expenses and unbudgeted overtime, standby, callback, and shift premiums.
Madam Speaker, growth in the deficit from health and social services authorities is ballooning. Action is needed to curb this debt. The report shows that some programs, like community social programs or community health program budgets, are also running over budget. What action is the department taking today to address this very concerning debt trend of the health authorities, Madam Speaker?
With an aging population, we will only see increases to the number of people with chronic conditions, the need for more chronic care coordination, and the demand for longterm care. I will have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services at the appropriate time. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. This Monday is the number one sick day in the GNWT; and, no, Madam Speaker, it's not because of some illness it's because the clocks will be turned back.
Madam Speaker, we in this House passed legislation making the switch to a yearround time possible, and the Minister said it would likely only happen after engagement with the public. Well, that engagement has now taken place so I am wondering to find out whether this Sunday will be the last time the clocks ever fall back. I'll have questions for the Minister of Justice, or the Minister of time, later today; see if we can find out the results of that survey and when, if we will indeed, get to say goodbye to trying to remember what time it is when we wake up. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, September 7, both Liidlii Kue elementary and high school staff and students said farewell to Mr. Bernie Leader as he entered into a muchdeserved retirement. Mr. Leader has supported the staff and students as a support assistant for the past 23 years, where he made a lifelong contribution to our students' education needs. Overall, he's been a pillar of support in our local education system and will be dearly missed.
Madam Speaker, to acknowledge Mr. Leader's ascension going into retirement, the schools gathered in the elementary school gym where they awaited his arrival at 3:15. As a surprise, Mr. Leader's grade 5/6 class, where he worked at that time, was called last over the PA system to attend a schoolwide assembly in the gymnasium. The class, with Mr. Leader in tow, were quite surprised to see both schools waiting for him with the song "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." It took Mr. Leader a few seconds to realize that the song being sung was for him and was for his retirement. He was left speechless.
Once Mr. Leader made his way to the center circle of the gymnasium, the principal Mr. Adams and kindergarten teacher Ms. Gendron presented him with a little heartfelt speech of appreciation followed by a couple of gifts a signed card, a $500 Canadian Tire gift card, heavily constructed lounger, thermos, and a Coleman cooler with $500 in specialty meat. Lastly, they had cookies and a beautiful cake to help celebrate the occasion. Yes, Mr. Leader blew out his candles.
Madam Speaker, let Mr. Leader be a prime example to all of us that such dedication comes with rewards. We're not talking monetary or tangible rewards but, rather, the reward of giving relentlessly to the development of our students. Stories from staff about Mr. Leader's 23 years at the elementary school have shown that he provided his students with valuable support outside of his SA role. It's dedicated workers like Mr. Leader has helped mould our students into contributing citizens throughout our community.
When asked what would you like for us to do for your retirement party, Bernie, he simply replied, "I don't want anything big to do but just spend my last days with our students." This is another example of how Mr. Leader truly devoted his time and resources to our students.
Though said many times before his departure, I would like to again wish him well with his retirement. I know he will certainly be tending to his garden and yard but there will be other things for him to do on his list.
Madam Speaker, my children had the honour of having him as either a SA, coach, or both, in their lives. As well, three of my grandchildren. His passion for helping our youth has not gone unnoticed by a lot of the families. I want to wish him all the best on his next adventures. As well, the staff and students have asked him to please come back to visit. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Range Lake.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Today I want to honour a Northwest Territories resident who's doing exceptional work to help honour Indigenous veterans from the territory. The person doing this work is our SergeantatArms in the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Floyd Powder.
A veteran himself, he is one of 12 Indigenous researchers from across Canada supporting the efforts of the Last Post Fund and its Indigenous Veterans Initiative.
Madam Speaker, created in 1999, the Last Post Fund is focused on making sure all deceased veterans receive dignified burial and a permanent resting place with a headstone. The Indigenous Veterans Initiative was launched in 2019 and makes every effort to represent the culture of Indigenous veterans, whether it be through symbols or inscriptions in their traditional language. For over seven years, Mr. Powder has given hundreds of hours to creating a list of northern veterans and doing research on unmarked graves of veterans in the Northwest Territories.
Madam Speaker, this work is so important, especially in the context of commemorating National Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8th next week. The work he is doing will help make sure Indigenous veterans who gave their life to supporting the freedoms in this country at a time for many were not necessarily the same.
In an interview with a local media outlet in 2021, Mr. Powder said, and I quote, "We need to remind Canadians that in this great country, Indigenous service men were treated unfairly. It's not acceptable. So I'm here to remind people what actually happened," end quote.
Madam Speaker, I couldn't agree more with this sentiment.
I want to congratulate Mr. Powder for giving his time to this initiative and helping to make sure Indigenous veterans are properly honoured for all they did and the ultimate sacrifices that they gave. Madam Speaker, Lest we Forget.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, with us today we have Avery Parle, who is the vicepresident of the Northern Territories Federation of Labour, and my old friend David Wasylciw, who doesn't live in my riding. Thank you.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Range Lake.
Madam Speaker, I've tried this dozens and dozens of times; I think I got the name once right but I'm going to try again. I want to recognize a constituent of Range Lake, David Wasylciw. No? Thank you.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Nahendeh.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm hoping that he's back here, my ministerial special advisor, Jeff Rate. It's his birthday, so I just want to wish him a happy birthday and hopefully he's in the building to hear it. Fine, he it's not. Oh well, I wish him a happy birthday anyway. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I think he's in the building. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Yellowknife South.
Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to have two of my younger constituents in the building acting as pages today Scarlett Anderson and Sylvia Isenor. It is wonderful to have them. I hope they find this an inspirational experience. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Welcome. If we've missed anyone in the gallery today, welcome to the chamber and I hope you're enjoying the proceedings. It's always nice to have an audience in here since we, like I said yesterday, we haven't had an audience.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member for Sahtu.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to welcome today Ms. Ester Charney of Fort Good Hope, a constituency of the Sahtu. Also my constituent assistant Ms. Natasha Takazo. And also, I'd like to recognize Ms. Brianne Gagnon, originally from living Fort Smith right now but just welcome to the proceedings. Mahsi.
