Mr. Speaker, today I want to extend my continued sympathy to the families of two men who gave so much to our territory and also highlight how our government will be honouring their memory for years to come. I am of course speaking about the loss of two exceptional men, former housing minister Alfred Moses and former Housing NWT president and CEO Mr. Tom Williams.
I have carried their memory in this portfolio, advancing our relationships with Indigenous governments and, most importantly, working directly with our communities. It is because of their leadership and support that we have been able to take the National Housing Strategy and convert it into successful relationships and funding for housing in the Northwest Territories. During the 19th Legislative Assembly, examples in this government include individual partnership agreements with Indigenous governments for housing, as well as direct funding from Canada to Indigenous governments for housingrelated infrastructure projects.
I am pleased to be a part of the success in this relationship, and all relationships throughout the Northwest Territories, that opened the door for Housing NWT to be successful in the Northwest Territories. I am still saddened by the passing of Alfred Moses and Tom Williams and during the time of this government in respect of their work and accomplishments for this government and this portfolio, today I would like to announce scholarships in both their names.
The two new scholarships that Housing NWT has recently introduced, the Alfred Moses Memorial Scholarship and the Tom Williams Memorial Scholarship, to recognize and celebrate students who have provided positive contributions to housing programs across the territory. These scholarships are in memory of Alfred and Tom, who demonstrated a profound commitment to addressing housing issues throughout the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT will offer six scholarships of $1,000 in the name of Alfred Moses and six scholarships in the name of Tom Williams. Both scholarships will award one in each of the five Housing NWT districts and one in Yellowknife, are available to students who are entering into the field related to housing. Applications will be open. The closing date is July 5th of this year.
Housing NWT already strongly supports the development of apprentices, which was a huge commitment of Mr. Williams, in the maintenance and trades and these new scholarships will provide additional support to widen our workforce and students to become interested as a complete postsecondary and secondary education programs.
Mr. Speaker, as we have previously shared with the Members of the Legislative Assembly, we will work with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to promote and coordinate Housing NWT's apprenticeship program to secure additional candidates throughout the territory. Housing has a target of hiring 12 local housing organization apprenticeships positions every year.
Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT understands that investing into our youth means a better future for our residents. Our values include innovation, stability, and collaboration. With the introduction of these scholarships, we are expanding our support to many students and apprenticeships across the Northwest Territories. We believe this will help strengthen our workforce with the more skilled workers and leads to a brighter future for housing solutions.
Mr. Speaker, Alfred Moses and Tom Williams have made a lasting impression on my life. As being a firstMember elect, it was saddening to see and hear the passing of these two individuals as I entered into my political career. Today I would like to welcome Pam Williams, the wife of Tom and their son Aurora and James, I'd just like to express my sympathy to the family as well, too. Your dad was a very great mentor and a strong colleague of mine. Mahsi. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Ministers' statements. Deputy Premier.
