Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to talk about affirmative action, Mr. Minister. Hidden away from headquarters in small regions of the N.W.T., is a practice of hiring northern aboriginal people to fill positions. I feel that this practice is, who you know in the bureaucracy, and who can get you the job.

Even to this day, this practice still continues. I will give you an example, Mr. Minister, if I may. Twelve ladies applied for a part-time position as a secretary. They were all graduates and yet, the guy that did the hiring, Mr. Minister, hired his own relation. There were twelve other young girls, some are single parents, yet they were not given an opportunity to advance their skills, or to prove their skills, to the people that they serve in their area office.

This has continued for years and years. For me, that is not affirmative action. Affirmative action, if I understand it correctly, is for aboriginal people, but I do not want it handed to us, we have to earn it. Slowly, I think, we are getting trained people, but give us an opportunity.

Another question I would like to ask you, Mr. Minister, of the 35.2 percent aboriginal people in the government work force, how many of these in senior management positions, or middle management positions?

I just want to see, especially in my region, people of aboriginal descent given fair and proper treatment. From what I have had people tell me, there is too much nepotism going around in my region, and I would like to put a stop to it. It is not fair, the people are hurting, and it seems the non-natives are getting all of the jobs.

It is not fair to our people. We would like to progress, like everyone else, but if we are not given a chance, how can we? I would like to see headquarters, once in a while, your staff, Mr. Kakfwi, come to our region. Send your staff up, and see how your department is working at the community level, to ensure that we have fair practice by the Department of Personnel.

I do not mean fly in one day, and fly out the next, but go around to the people who are qualified, and cannot seem to find jobs. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.