Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Inuvik has close to an equal number of Gwich'in, Inuvialuit and non-aboriginal residents. Each group looks for a different organization to represent their interests: the Gwich'in, the Gwich'in Community Council; the Inuvialuit, the Inuvialuit or Inuvik Community Corporation; and others, the town council. Before land claims were settled, all of these groups worked independently of each other; however, I believe all respected each other's authority.
I would like to describe some examples of renewed cooperation among these three groups. During the Commission for Constitutional Development, all three groups submitted a joint proposal which outlined principles to establish a new governing relationship, such as the areas of jurisdiction that are fundamental to the revitalization, promotion and protection of aboriginal heritage, and the maintenance of democratic principles to ensure that no group or individual shall be excluded from governing the community. More discussions will be carried out in the future to define a new governing structure and authorities for Inuvik.
The two aboriginal organizations are concerned about the perceived lack of commitment by education authorities, their development and instruction of aboriginal languages. For example, there are no aboriginal language instructors in the high school. In fact, there is no aboriginal teacher. The situation continues to undermine the self-esteem of our native youth. Both organizations, in working with educational institutions, agreed to an interim arrangement to hire two halftime language instructors. In the long term, the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit have asked the Official Languages Commissioner to investigate the implementation of the Official Languages Act and the federal-territorial funding agreement. It is hoped that this investigation can produce recommendations that the Legislative Assembly may consider in the near future.
The region requested, as well, a teacher education program to be placed in Inuvik to increase the aboriginal teaching staff...