Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about our schools and learning opportunities for children in small communities.
Mr. Speaker, on September 30th of this year, the Premier spoke to the media. He said, quote: Half our population is Indigenous and even then we have the highest proportion of residential school survivors in Canada. So when we talk about things like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it means something different here, end quote.
Talking about reconciliation is important, Mr. Speaker, but what about action? We are supposed to be closing educational gaps for Indigenous students. Look at the Call for Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada shows there is still work to be done in the Northwest Territories. We must improve education attainment levels and success rate. We must teach Indigenous languages as credit courses. We must respect and honour treaty relationships, end quote.
It is 2024, Mr. Speaker. Why does the most recent GNWT early development survey show that children are falling behind in areas of the territory where most students are Indigenous? The percentage of children who are on track for grade 1 is only 37 percent -- it's 37 percent in regional centres, only 23 percent in small communities. More than half, 53 percent of children, are considered vulnerable in small communities. Why are we failing these students, students in all small communities? What action do we need to take to help students succeed? Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of education at the appropriate time. Masi. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from the Sahtu.
