Mr. Koe, please clarify.

It is the Native Communications Society of the Western NWT; they have a proposal in with the government and I am wondering when they can expect an answer on that proposal. It is regarding the lease, yes.

Mr. Allooloo.

In regard to the space in the media centre, the television and radio services of my department, in co-operation with Public Works, has determined needs and is now finalizing an estimated cost. These will be considered in light of the present financial restraint efforts, bearing in mind the operational needs of the TV and radio and the aspiration of the Native Communications Society. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

I understand it is under review. Will it take a day, a week, a month, two months? I still did not get an answer.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have asked my department to produce a document that I will be taking to cabinet on this issue. Until I get approval from my cabinet colleagues, I cannot make a commitment that the government will use part of the space that is available in the media centre.

Oral questions. Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for the Workers' Compensation Board. Is the Minister prepared, in dealing with future board appointments, to consult all Members of this Assembly including the matter dealing with the chairmanship of the board?

Mr. Patterson.

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Oral questions. Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a question to the Minister of Education. I had written a letter to him asking about the cultural inclusion program in the Territories. The question was whether the cultural inclusion programs could be delivered by local ethnic groups. Could the Minister let me know if he will respond to this letter?

Mr. Allooloo.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I have asked my department -- I know there are two sources of funding available that we provide to divisional boards. One is for the general schooling of the students and also there is a cultural component of the funding that we provide to divisional boards. I have asked my department to review these two particular areas. There have always been complaints from the communities that there are not enough funds provided for cultural inclusion programs. My department is reviewing that, currently, to see where we could accommodate the community needs. Yes, Mr. Speaker, as soon as I can I will respond to the Member's letter.

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Mr. Whitford.

Oral questions. Oral questions.

Item 6, written questions. Written questions. Item 7, returns to written questions. Returns to written questions. Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a written question, asked by Mr. Antoine on February 18, 1992, regarding the supervision procedures at Akaitcho Hall. There are different types of leave for students who live at Akaitcho Hall, including leave for employment, weekend leave, town leave, and a number of special leaves. Akaitcho Hall administration and supervisors follow specific procedures in response to student requests for leave. Students who apply to baby-sit, or who have other outside employment, are permitted leave for these purposes on weekends or holidays. Students may also apply for weekend leave to visit with friends or relatives. In each of these cases, the student must apply and receive parental consent.

As well, the residence permits leave for special purposes. This may include supper leave for students who have birthdays, or when parents are in town. Students who are 19 years of age, or in grade 12, and who perform extra residence duties may also be granted earned leave. Students must follow the departure and return times set by the residence for all types of leave. To ensure the safety of students on leave, residence dormitory supervisors are required to follow procedures. They normally telephone the destination when students are signed out on weekend leave, to make sure students arrive safely. In some instances, a student may be signed out by someone who does not have a telephone. In that case, the supervisor ensures that they have the address where the student will be staying. If a student returns late from leave, parents are informed about it the following day by telephone, if possible. A letter documenting a late return is also sent to parents by the dormitory supervisor.

In the case of students signed out by relatives, the most appropriate family member is informed, if possible. When a student is reported as absent without leave, the supervisor also checks with the hospital and the RCMP to ensure that they have not been in an accident, or are not in police custody.

Akaitcho Hall dormitory supervisors receive training in a number of courses before school begins, as well as throughout the school year. These courses include team building, parenting, drug and alcohol counselling, suicide prevention, crisis counselling and first aid. Their work is evaluated through the appraisal process used for GNWT employees. Thank you.

Returns to written questions.

Item 8, replies to Opening Address.

Item 9, petitions.

Item 10, reports of standing and special committees.

Item 11, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 12, tabling of documents. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Mr. Speaker, I would like to table Tabled Document 16-12(2), a letter from the municipality of Sanikiluaq regarding the proposed arts and craft centre in Baker Lake, for the attention of the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. I know that we have to help each other economically here in the Northwest Territories. When the Baffin Regional Council met on December 28, in Iqaluit, we did not want to be against the economic development of communities such as Baker Lake, as they are proposing to open an arts and crafts centre.

We, the people in Baffin South, feel that the three communities that I represent have a very good potential of becoming economically viable through arts and crafts -- Sanikiluaq, Cape Dorset and Lake Harbour -- and the problem that my constituents have is that -- the carvers in my constituency have a problem whereby they live off the revenue from their carvings and that is their traditional pursuit. We all have to try to make our own living. For this reason the arts and crafts centre that is proposed to open in Baker Lake is very much of a concern for my constituency, because my constituents feel that they might not have any employment, or be able to sell their carvings.

My constituents have a trademark where there is the logo of an igloo, and they are recognized by the people in Canada. They feel that if the centre in Baker Lake opens they will be left behind, and their carvings will no longer be valuable. That is the concern of the people in Baffin South. They feel that their way of life might be taken away from them. They feel that their carvings might not be as valuable as they are at the present time. They feel that there would be more people buying carvings from Baker Lake, rather than my constituency, and they are worried that their livelihood might be taken away; they are recognized for their good carvings. I am producing this letter and express the concerns of my people...