Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (Translation) For over nine years, I have stood up over and over in this House to outline a need which exists in my community, and I suspect it exists in other communities across the Northwest Territories as well. The need has never been addressed. I am not going to give up.

Mr. Speaker, we need to have facilities that allow parents and elders to go into the bush and still be confident that their children, who are going to school, will be looked after. (Translation ends)

Mr. Speaker, I gave my first reply to the Commissioner's opening address on March 1, 1984. At that time, I pointed out that if this government is going to be a true government of the people, consideration is going to have to be given to the survival of the aboriginal culture. Mr. Speaker, all honourable Members in this House know the importance of traditional harvesting for families in our smaller communities. Those who have lived in small communities know the dilemma faced by parents who wish to go into the bush or out onto the land to pursue hunting and trapping activities which are their cultural right. They know families are faced with unacceptable choices. They cannot take their children out of school because they are accused of violating the Education Act or contributing to a high drop-out rate.

They can try to find a place for their school age children to stay, sometimes where care and supervision is undependable or there is a risk of abuse, or they can turn their backs on the way of life that has sustained their ancestors for centuries and stay in town.

Mr. Speaker, for years I have been saying this government should arrange for a hostile type facility where children can stay during periods when their care givers are out on the land. During their stay they could receive additional academic tutoring, safe care and, most importantly, exposure to cultural programs which could be offered by the community.

Over and over I have been dismayed that this government's response has been consistently negative and narrow-minded. There has been a reluctance...