Minister of Social Services, Mr. Whitford.

Can the Minister advise this House as to what agency would be able to assist with this particular matter, and does that agency allow for applicable individuals to be able to be assisted?

That is really two questions, but Mr. Whitford, would you like to respond?

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Can the Minister confirm to this House whether Storefront does allow for the provision of insurance for individuals, and not only non-profit organizations? Thank you.

Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to again ask the Hon. John Ningark, Minister of Renewable Resources, even though he said it was his understanding that the Supreme Court decision on the Sparrow case has been considered in the amendments, I would ask the Minister where in his presentation today, or his Minister's statement, is that particular matter being considered?

Minister of Renewable Resources, Mr. Ningark.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take that question as notice.

Question has been taken as notice. Oral

questions. Mr. Nerysoo, new question.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development a question. Yesterday when Members on this side of the House were asking questions about the art exhibition in Japan, the honourable Member indicated that the government was not displaying the art exhibition themselves, but rather, was participating as representatives of government. Does this government represent all people in the NWT?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, then I think the questions yesterday were relevant. What is this government doing with regard to promoting Dene art in Canada or on the international scene?

Mr. Pollard.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, under the Economic Development Agreement we provided $9804 of EDA assistance to Gameti Development Corporation for hide tanning-workshops; we did contributions of $88,000 to provide for the development of promotional materials to enhance sales of NWT arts and crafts; specific brochures relating to the promotion of Dene craft work, including birchbark baskets, tufting, beadwork, quill work, tanned hides; also an overview brochure will include the socio-cultural aspects of Dene arts.

Under commercial enterprises, Fort Liard gets an annual budget to Acho Dene native crafts of $150,000. Under small tools and equipment, Dene artisans receive $42,000 of the fiscal 1991-92 budget for the department's small tools and equipment programs. There was a new person year, an arts and crafts officer allocated to Fort Rae with an annual budget of $53,000. This officer commenced work with the department on February 18, 1991.

For the business development fund: Fort Simpson, TJ Groceries received $7380 to renovate existing store to provide space for existing craft shop; Bertha Norwegian received $9150 to complete and market tapes of Dene songs; the DDC received $15,000 to host an arts contest for artwork for a Dene calendar; Fort Resolution Metis Local 53, $10,000 to establish a non-profit community sewing centre to produce and sell crafts; Aurora Video, $2500 to produce music promotion tape in English and in Slavey; Treeline Trappings, $4350 to attend Nexus '91 Trade Show in Vancouver in May, 1991, to promote Dene crafts; Fort Norman tannery received $7290 to establish traditional native tannery; Lac la Martre received $1060 to establish a small craft business; Snare Lake, Princely Productions, $3000 to produce performing arts tapes; Treeline Trappings again, for $2450 to attend the Colorado Indian Art Round-up Trade Show.

Under the department's O and M budget, a total of six full-colour one-page advertisements were placed in various magazines to promote Dene craft work. Forty-five per cent, that is $374,000, of purchases for the Expo '92 retail outlet are Dene arts and crafts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister indicate to me if there were any major expenditures with international exhibitions in 1991-92?

Mr. Pollard.