Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a response to a question asked by Mr. Pudlat on March 5, 1993, regarding the status of research on Malikjuaq Park.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, in response to the question from Mr. Pudlat on the status of Malikjuaq Park, I would like to report the following progress.
During the summer of 1992, the department contracted Mr. Doug Stenton to carry out archaeological work at the park. This work continued from preliminary investigations undertaken during 1991. Four Cape Dorset students were trained by Mr. Stenton and assisted him in the field.
Mr. Stenton has provided the Department of Economic Development and Tourism with a report summarizing his activities and finds, and a draft text for a brochure to be produced this coming year. Copies of this material will be provided to the Member from the department's Iqaluit office.
John Liard and Associates of Yellowknife, was hired during 1992-93 to develop plans and brochures for interpretive walking trails in the park and surrounding the community of Cape Dorset.
In the 1992-93 fiscal year the department provided the community of Lake Harbour with $20,000 for a season hosting program and $12,000 for an oral history project. Stories and legends taken from the oral history project are planned to be used in upcoming tourist pamphlets, park signs and brochures.
For the 1993 fiscal year we have set aside $75,000 in our capital plan for continued development of the park. This would include producing brochures, posters, signs, laying out trails and completing archaeological investigations. The local park advisory committee, made up of Kananginak Pootoogook, Maioni Ashoona and Doug Workman, has also been successful in securing funds from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Programs for identifying traditional place names in and around the park.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, as a means of promoting visitation to the park, a section on Malikjuaq Park has been included in the recently produced Baffin handbook. This book will be on sale at many retail outlets throughout Canada and at northern visitor centres. It will provide visitors to the north with greater exposure to the many attractions in the Baffin region including Malikjuaq Park. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause