Debates of March 4, 2025 (day 50)

March
4
2025
Session
20th Assembly, 1st Session
Day
50
Speaker
Shane Thompson
Word PDF
Members Present
Mr. Edjericon, Hon. Lucy Kuptana, Hon. Jay Macdonald, Hon. Vince McKay, Mr. McNeely, Ms. Morgan, Mr. Morse, Mr. Nerysoo, Ms. Reid, Mr. Rodgers, Hon. Lesa Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Testart, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Mrs. Weyallon Armstrong, Mrs. Yakeleya
Assembly Members
Topics
Member’s Statement 551-20(1): Accessibility to Primary Healthcare in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 552-20(1): Same-Day Primary Care Services in the Northwest Services
Member’s Statement 553-20(1): Safety of Stanton Territorial Hospital Staff
Member’s Statement 554-20(1): Rent increases in Communities for Northwest Territories Workers
Member’s Statement 555-20(1): Land Leases in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Member’s Statement 556-20(1): Getting Ahead Pilot Program in Dehcho First Nations
Member’s Statement 557-20(1): Absenteeism in Northwest Territories Schools
Member’s Statement 558-20(1): Decentralization in the Northwest Territories
Member’s Statement 559-20(1): Condition of Dettah Elementary School Building
Member’s Statement 560-20(1): Indigenous Language Scholarship Winners
Member’s Statement 561-20(1): Paul Stipdonk Memorial Soccer Tournament
Minister’s Statement 107-20(1): Ready for Wildfire 2025
Minister’s Statement 108-20(1): Yellowknife Primary Care Centre Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation Implementation
Motion 48-20(1): Reappointment of Chief Electoral Officer
Motion 48-20(1): Reappointment of Chief Electoral Officer, Carried
Motion 49-20(1): Compassionate Medical Evacuation Policy
Motion 50-20(1): Appointment of Person to Investigate the Critical Incident of Avery Burke, Wesley Marcellais and Hilary Norwegian
Question 584-20(1): Safety of Stanton Territorial Hospital Staff
Question 585-20(1): Land Leases in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Question 586-20(1): Rental Increases in Communities for Government of the Northwest Territories Workers
Question 587-20(1): Access to Primary Healthcare in the Northwest Territories
Question 588-20(1): Accessibility of Primary Care
Question 589-20(1): Condition of Dettah Elementary School
Question 590-20(1): Northwest Territories Response to United States Tariffs
Question 591-20(1): Rental Increases in Communities for Government of the Northwest Territories Workers
Question 592-20(1): Accessibility of Primary Care
Question 593-20(1): Stanton Territorial Hospital Gridlock
Statements

Member’s Statement 556-20(1): Getting Ahead Pilot Program in Dehcho First Nations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have been talking a lot about educational opportunities in our communities in recent weeks. Today I would like to share with the House an example of how programming in our small communities can make and does work with when right people come together.

The Getting Ahead Pilot, or GAP program, was developed through a collaborative initiative between Aurora College and Deh Cho First Nations. The program was designed to address the need for employment readiness training in Fort Providence, particularly for individuals facing barriers to employment such as lower literacy levels, limited work experience, and a lack of essential workplace skills. The goal was to provide participants with career planning, financial literacy, digital literacy, and workplace safety training to help them transition into the workforce or further education.

The GAP program incorporated courses that are part of Aurora College's curriculum. Successful participants earned academic credits with Aurora College contributing to their ongoing educational pathways. The program was funded through Deh Cho First Nations Indigenous skills and employment training program, and Aurora College contributed instructional leadership and provided the structured training framework. The GAP program ran for 15 weeks, from September to December 2024.

While it is not a standalone certificate program, participants, who successfully completed their required coursework, earned academic credits with Aurora College which can be applied towards further studies. Seven students successfully completed the program. GAP provided them with valuable workplace skills, career planning tools, and industry recognized safety certifications, increasing their employment prospects.

Mr. Speaker, we need to see more partnerships and outcomes like these in our small communities, meeting people where they're at and providing the needed training to advance academic and employment opportunities. Mahsi.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from the Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member from Monfwi.