Good afternoon. Orders of the day, item 2, Ministers' statements. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, welcome back. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituents today, I rise to pay tribute to the late Bishop Piche, who would have been 83 years old today. Bishop Paul Piche died on Friday, September 11, in Edmonton. Bishop Paul Piche was born on September 14, 1909 in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. He attended school in Gravelbourg College in Saskatchewan and later graduated from the University of Ottawa, taking philosophy and majoring in anthropology.

Bishop Paul Piche was ordained a Priest in December 31, 1934 and he was appointed in March 1959 as Bishop. He was consecrated as a Bishop on June 11, 1959. Initially, he was installed as a Vicar Apostolic of MacKenzie on June 21, 1959 and he replaced Bishop Trocellier who passed away November, 1958.

The Bishop of MacKenzie Diocese was installed in June, 1967 at the Cathedral of Fort Smith. In June of 1984, many of us in Fort Smith, as well as myself, were in attendance, honouring Bishop Piche in a jubilee celebration for his 25 years of service.

In 1986, Bishop Paul Piche resigned as Bishop, being replaced by Father Croteau, who is now our Bishop. Bishop Paul Piche held the title after he retired, of Bishop Emeritus, which means, "full of merits" in Latin.

I know that Bishop Paul Piche held this title with great respect. Bishop Paul Piche served many of my constituents, along with many people in the MacKenzie Diocese, with a full and very challenging job.

We will deeply miss Bishop Paul Piche and he leaves to mourn many of his relatives, particularly a niece with the Grey Nuns, Sister Denise Piche. When he retired, he retired with the Oblates at the Placid Place in Edmonton. I had recently seen Bishop Piche.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell your allotted time has expired.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to seek unanimous consent to continue.

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, the honourable Member is seeking unanimous consent. Are there any nays? There are no nays, please proceed Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and thank you honourable colleagues. I had recently seen Bishop Paul Piche on August 26, when he was in Fort Smith, at the opening of the personal care unit. At the time his smile as always, will be remembered, and his laughs with the people will always be remembered. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a few comments about some statements made by a Minister of this Assembly.

The honourable Stephen Kakfwi, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Rights and Constitutional Development, made a presentation to the Gwich'in Assembly in Fort McPherson in late August. In his presentation, he talked about the role of civil servants in implementing community transfer initiatives.

The Minister also expressed opinions on the role of M.L.A.s in meeting this government's initiatives. For instance, the Minister claims that self-government talks have slowed considerably since the community transfer initiatives were announced last fall. I also understand that the Minister stated that part of the delay is caused by M.L.A.s, who passed a motion in this Assembly last fall, saying they want to be involved in the decision making.

I am very disappointed and cannot even envision why a Minister of this government would think that I, as an ordinary M.L.A., and those who sit on this side of the House, would even consider interfering or meddling in the operations and management of this government. How naive can one be?

My colleagues, and I, were elected to do exactly that, make recommendations and decisions on the running of this government on behalf of the citizens of the Northwest Territories. So, I for one, Mr. Speaker, intend to fulfill my responsibilities as a M.L.A. and hopefully, when given opportunities, become involved in the decision making.

Mahsi Cho.

---Applause

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In August of 1991 the federal government announced that it had earmarked $26.4 million, over the next five years, for aboriginal justice reform.

Later today, I will table a discussion paper prepared by the Honourable Kim Campbell, federal Minister of Justice, which outlines this initiative in detail. While it is an impressive sounding project, Mr. Speaker, I must express some serious concerns.

First, the initiative promises significant consultation on aboriginal justice issues between the federal government, native organizations, and provincial and territorial governments. However, the project has been underway for over a year, Mr. Speaker, and I have yet to hear about any consultation, involving communities at this grass roots level. Has federal and territorial consultations begun? Are they involving only the so called experts in our senior bureaucracy? I will be calling on our Minister of Justice to clarify this.

I have a further concern about this federal initiative as well. This relates to the appointment of Don Avison, as the Director of the Council for Aboriginal Justice Administration. Honourable Members will recall that he was the Crown Prosecutor who ordered the arrest and detention of Kitty Nowdluk Reynolds.

Ms. Nowdluk was a victim of rape who was shamefully jailed and transported across Canada in handcuffs, something that would never have happened to a white woman. When questioned in the House of Commons, the federal Minister indicated that she felt that Mr. Avison was uniquely qualified to take the lead role in this aboriginal justice initiative. Based on his handling of the Kitty Nowdluk affair, I must disagree with this appointment. I am interested in learning more about how this decision was made.

I will have more to say on this topic at a later time, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Item 3, Members' statements. Ms. Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to comment on a problem, which I believe exists, with respect to the way the Government Leader has allocated portfolio assignments. I wish to suggest to her that the same Ministers should not hold responsibilities for the Department of Economic and Development and Tourism, and Finance. It is my opinion that the mandate priorities of these departments conflict with each other. I also recognize that the time commitments required to carry out ministerial responsibilities for these two busy and important departments would overwhelm almost any single Minister.

I would draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the fact that during the 11th Assembly, the Minister of Finance had responsibility for a much smaller portfolio of Justice, and the Highway Transport Board, as well as House Leader duties. At the end of the 10th Assembly, I believe the Honourable Tom Butters was allowed to concentrate exclusively on the Finance portfolio. I believe that the assignment of these two conflicting and overwhelming portfolios to our current Minister of Finance is not the best distribution of responsibility. I would note that neither this current report, nor this "Strength At Two Levels" review recommend that these responsibilities be combined. Perhaps, that is because the working groups in each case recognize the inherent conflict in mandate and time pressures involved in these two portfolios. Later today, I will make my reply to the budget address, and will comment further on the reasons why these assignments should be reconsidered.

In closing, I wish to assure the House that I am not expressing a lack of confidence in the current Minister, the honourable Member for Hay River. Rather, I believe, that the reassignment of these two responsibilities will improve its efficiency, not only within Cabinet, and this House, but also in terms of services and programs which are our constituents rely on. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements, Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to express concerns of the people of Cape Dorset. My statement will be to the Government Leader, and Minister of Transportation. The people of Lake Harbour are experiencing inconvenience because of the airstrip. The airstrip has to be upgraded, capital expenditures should be forwarded at an earlier date and also because this inconveniences scheduled flights into the community, and that also, it is a hardship to the community in the winter time. The Hamlet Council has agreed that the upgrading should start very soon, and that the Minister of Transportation should work on this, and the Minister has a copy of the letter. If you require a copy of the letter, I have a copy, regarding the airstrip in Cape Dorset. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Members' statements, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cannot recall whether any of the Members from the eastern Northwest Territories have mentioned the fact, that this particular month is a very important month for Inuit. The month of September was traditionally a very busy month for hunters. It is a time when the weather is cool, not only at night, but also during the day. It is a time for caching meat. This traditionally was a month in which the hunters would try to catch as many animals as they were able. This was a month when the meat was not going to be destroyed by bugs, or insects. This month, the weather will not always allow a hunter to do what he would like to do. He will be controlled by the conditions of the great outdoors, and yet the hunter will strive to meet his needs for meat to last the winter; a winter which could, historically, make or break a group of Inuit. Today, if you were to check on how many older Inuit were employed, who will take time off in the month, you will probably find that most, if not all, will take some time off. I recognize that this is an unusual year, and that this will not likely happen, in that we will meet in the month of September, but I find that I have not been able to be as involved as I should be. My heart has been back home caching meat. I would be remiss in doing my duty if I did not participate in this very important process of this Legislative Assembly. I have found, Mr. Speaker, that timetables of aboriginal peoples and that of southern timetables do not match. They never have, and they probably never will. This month, there will be all kinds of Inuit hunters who will spend as much of their time as possible on the land. As would be the case for some of the Members in this Chamber today, I would like to suggest on behalf of the aboriginal Members, that this Assembly avoid sitting during the month of September next year, and other years to follow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause

Members' statements. Mr. Kakfwi.

Mr. Kakfwi, your allotted time has expired.

The honourable Member is requesting unanimous consent. Are there any nays? Please proceed, Mr. Kakfwi.

Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Lewis.