Mr. Speaker, later today I will table the government's response to the Report of the Traditional Knowledge Working Group. The Report of the Traditional Knowledge Working Group, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly in July 1991, contained twenty recommendations for government action. The recommendations flowed from a working group established by the former Government Leader to, "seek ways in which our government and non-government organizations could work together to document traditional knowledge and ensure that it is applied both by government and other agencies."

The traditional knowledge working group's recommendations addressed a wide range of activities. Building on those recommendations, our government's response recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge to our northern ways of life. We chose to use the 20 recommendations as a starting point for a plan of action designed to encourage and promote traditional knowledge.

The plan, which is contained in the response, includes a new policy. This policy establishes the government's commitment to the use of traditional knowledge. It provides a framework for decision making for all departments and agencies of the government. However, we will need people's support and commitment -- at the community level as well as throughout the government -- to make it work.

Although the importance of traditional knowledge is being increasingly recognized throughout the world, I must emphasize that this is the first policy of its kind to be formally adopted by any jurisdiction. As well as the policy, our government's plan of action assigns the responsibility for coordinating the government's traditional knowledge initiatives to the Department of Renewable Resources. This department is primarily responsible for supporting the traditional land-based lifestyle that fosters and promotes traditional knowledge.

The government will also review existing grants and contributions to identify those for which the promotion of traditional knowledge will be a priority. Other actions include the appointment of a traditional knowledge coordinator in each department, an annual awards program, a public awareness campaign and improving cross cultural training for government employees.

The government's response will be circulated in our official languages throughout the Northwest Territories. A work plan outlining how the government will implement specific actions on traditional knowledge, will be developed over the next few months and discussed with aboriginal cultural organizations and elders.

A process of collaboration and dialogue between this government, elders and cultural organizations was used to produce both the working group's report and our government's response. I would like to thank all who were part of this process and to affirm our government's commitment. Thank you.

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