Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to express my concern and disappointment at the government's response to the report of the Traditional Knowledge Working Group. Mr. Speaker, the honourable Members will be aware that this initiative was established by the previous Government Leader back in October of 1989.

The purpose of the project was to define traditional knowledge, examine its current and potential use, and identify obstacles and solutions which will increase its influence in northern society. Elders worked hand in hand with government officials and the staff of aboriginal organizations, eventually producing a report which, I thought, was excellent.

The report lays out 20 recommendations which pinpoint areas where this government can enhance its programs and services by drawing from the accumulated wisdom of elders across the Northwest Territories. Although the report was tabled in the Assembly in July of 1991, two successive governments have failed to implement the directions outlined by the working group.

Now the initiative, at least to me, appears to have been either stuck in the mud or placed on the shelf. The Government Action Report is on hold while the bureaucrats put its contents into an implementation paper for a review by Cabinet. It is disrespectful, not only to the elders who advised the Traditional Knowledge Working Group, but to the elders throughout the Northwest Territories.

My honourable colleagues from Deh Cho and Inuvik both raised this matter in this Assembly in June. I want to advise the Minister that the Members on this side of the House are not prepared to accept any further delay in seeing that the principles outlined in the report of the Traditional Knowledge Working Group become incorporated into northern government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause