Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. That only covers one group of people. However, there are other land claims that have been settled, TFN claim, the Gwich'in claim and the Sahtu Dene/Metis claim is awaiting federal approval. So, what's happening with these other claimant groups and the revisions to the Wildlife Act that pertain to their claims and other people, the Metis people, the South Slave and Deh Cho?

Minister Kakfwi.

I'd like to remind Ministers that if a question is taken as notice, it's not necessary to give a long speech as to why. It should be short and concise. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week, from November 22 until November 25, there was a major conference held in the city called, Keeping the Circle Strong. There were several major themes discussed at this conference. One was solvent abuse, the second one was fetal alcohol syndrome, the third was suicide and addictions. I'd like to ask the Minister responsible for Social Services, could she indicate the degree to which the government was involved in supporting and funding this conference?

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department provided $40,000 for travel assistance through Northern Addiction Services. Thank you.

Item 5, oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Thanks, Mr. Speaker. I noted in the program, Mr. Speaker, that this conference was not to deal with difficulties and problems, it was going to discuss solutions and things that would work, and are prone to work. The theme was where do we go from here? What solutions emerged from this conference, with regard to the main theme of the conference since the government was a major player and this was sponsored by the Northern Addiction Services? What came out of the conference that would indicate where we go from here to solve these three major problems.

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On the topics of fetal alcohol syndrome, suicide and solvent abuse, discussions took place at the Keeping the Circle Strong conference. The discussions and recommendations that might arise from that conference will be integrated into the Social Services strategic plan for alcohol and drug programs. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Lewis.

Since most of the people there were on the staff of the Department of Social Services, or at least an agency related to Social Services, could the Minister indicate what kind of recommendations came out of that conference, with regard to the solutions to these three major problems? What were they?

Minister Mike.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The majority of participants of that conference are employees of agencies at the local level, working as alcohol and drug workers, but not employees of the department. I will have to take his question as notice because I have not had the chance to discuss the recommendations. It usually takes a few months for the information to be gathered and weeded out within the department. Thank you.

Again I'll remind Ministers, if the question is taken as notice, just take it as notice. There isn't need for a lengthy explanation. The question has been taken as notice. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Pudluk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question to the Minister of Education. Last year, the community of Arctic Bay requested that their grade level be extended. They were refused by the Minister because they were too late with their request. Now they have another petition to acquire grade 11 in their community. Does the Minister have the request by the community of Arctic Bay? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Mr. Speaker, I'm just trying to understand what the question was. The request has come in, however, and I did indicate to the community that, while the request is made to me, there is still a need for the community to work with the divisional board of education so there are plans, when the organizational work is done through the divisional board. And, they can ensure that the appropriate accommodation for students and the staffing are addressed in their divisional board planning as well.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education. In his Minister's statement, on page two...First of all, I would like to say that I commend the Minister for initiating a decentralization program. I'm not criticizing that at all. All I'm saying is, I've had this experience myself, a few years back, when I applied for a position as an adult educator and I was not offered that because I did not have a certificate. The advertisement stated, if the person is not certified he cannot be given a job training program. I was not allowed to take the on-the-job training program because the government said I was qualified. So, both ways I could not get in.

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister is, are these people who are taking this decentralization training given a certificate upon completion?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that is happening. Most of the individuals involved in this job training initiative will be certified for their studies.