Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, in conjunction with Arctic College and funded by the Department of Social Services, child sexual abuse program, has offered training to native social service workers and alcohol and drug workers who are involved in the delivery of service to victims and adult survivors of child sexual abuse. The training program commenced in September of 1991 and was completed as of February 28, 1992. Graduation for the participants took place yesterday, February 27, and I was pleased to attend those ceremonies and speak to the graduates.
The participants have travelled from their communities to Yellowknife for this training, which consisted of five two-week sessions, and came from the following communities: Fort Norman, Rankin Inlet, Coppermine, Baker Lake, Fort Franklin, Fort Good Hope, Yellowknife, Arviat, Fort Providence, Inuvik, Pangnirtung, Fort Smith and Aklavik.
There was a three-week period between each session where participants returned to their communities to put their learning experiences to practical use. This training has enhanced the workers' knowledge and skills necessary to provide programming and services for the prevention and treatment of sexual abuse.
A further period of on-the-job training, under the supervision of the specialists in the child sexual abuse program who will be centred in Iqaluit, Baker Lake, Fort Simpson and Inuvik, is planned. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.