Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, one of my highlights this past summer was to arrange for a prospecting course in Baker Lake. The process was tedious and time-consuming, as two NWT government departments were involved and the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs. However, the course did take place late in the summer. I spoke to some of the students during the course and afterwards. The students were ecstatic as they took in the information from the instructor. I have stated in this House previously, that I believe our corner of the country is one of the last frontiers, as it relates to minerals. I think the potential in mineral development is incredible. This is where the north will find its financial resources to build the much-needed infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, there has been a record number of mineral claim staking in the area of north Great Slave Lake and they are going to continue to move eastward. In 1992, 20 million acres of claims were recorded, with 3.1 million acres in the month of December alone. There were more claims staked in one month than had occurred in many years. At the end of 1992, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs gave out an additional 7.1 million acres in prospecting permits. This calendar year, between the months of January and October, 45 million acres were recorded.
Mr. Speaker, the people of the Northwest Territories have to be intimately involved in this development. One of the ways to start is by running similar courses in the communities. Our people have to start staking some of this land. They have to learn what it means to be a miner, otherwise, mining companies will be up here with no involvement by the people. Much the same as has happened in the development of our government over the past three or four decades.
As is the norm, our people will be given token positions to show the numbers are there. They will not be in a position to be able to influence the major decisions that will have to be made. I encourage the Government of the Northwest Territories to start campaigning across the north the potential for jobs in the mining industry. Where that starts, Mr. Speaker, is in education.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.