Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment Programs. I have been very concerned about the fact that the report of the traditional knowledge working group has been completed for almost two years and there has been no constructive action taken on its recommendations.

The Legislative Assembly has been told on a number of occasions that the report is going to be considered by Cabinet. I must question what sort of priority the Cabinet officials have been placing on traditional aboriginal knowledge, when it has taken so long for the matter to be dealt with. Can the Minister tell the House today the status of the Cabinet's review of the report of the traditional working group?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have not reviewed that document, at least, since I have become a Cabinet Member.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, to the Minister of Education, honourable Members have been told by previous Ministers that departmental officials are trying to prepare a summary of the report and its recommendations. I have never understood why this is necessary, since the report

was well-written and its recommendations should be able to stand on their own merit. Will the Minister assure the House that the elders and the other people who contributed to the traditional knowledge working group will have the opportunity to review the summary document.

Mr. Nerysoo. Madam Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the work of the traditional knowledge working group will be assessed as soon as possible. We can make that commitment because I believe that we have had discussions with the Denendeh Cultural Institute and it is anticipated that the elders will be brought together at the earliest possible time to discuss the report and how they see us working those recommendations into the overall government framework. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Premier, how soon do you expect to get the working group together to discuss this document?

Madam Premier.

Mr. Speaker, we had hoped that we would have that by the end of March, but I know there is some planning that has to go into it. We feel that it should take place as early as possible and perhaps it would be convenient for us to try to do that within the next 30 to 45 days.

Item 5, oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Education. Mr. Speaker, I had made a Member's statement last week with regard to the western Arctic leadership program. I am concerned that that particular program may be having problems with respect to funding. I know there is concern in the community with regard to the western Arctic leadership program, particularly, with regard to a lack of funding. Will the Minister be willing to review and support the western Arctic leadership board in addressing this particular concern of lack of funding to operate the program. Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department has advised the chairman of the western Arctic leadership program board to actively seek private sources to enhance the program. We are prepared to work with them in that area and if there is any particular shortfall, as a result of those initiatives, either falling through or coming short of their financial resources, then we will be prepared to address that additional requirement when we are aware that there is in fact a shortfall.

Item 5, oral questions. Mr. Arvaluk.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to advise the honourable Member and Members of this House that I have been given the authority to allow the regional boards of education to sign their contractual arrangements with their senior staff, their directors. However, I do want to inform the Members that there are requirements for some directives and some parameters by which these agreements can be signed. There are some problems. It is certainly my intention to try to move as far as possible to ensuring that there is independence and ability of the boards to make decisions. Until the Education Act is amended to respond to those needs, it would be premature of me to go forward without seeking the advice of the boards, the Members of this Assembly and the public to ensure there is some accountability on the part of the board, and the people they hire.

Supplementary, Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Keewatin divisional board of education has communicated the motions which it passed in January, they requested the Minister and the government to give the divisional board their rightful authority to determine the terms under which senior educational

personnel, in the regions, are employed. Has the Minister made a formal response to those requests?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. Previously, the boards did not have the authority to contract with their directors. Cabinet has given approval to ensure that the boards of education, in the regions, have the authority to contract with their directors. However, there are still some restrictions as a result of legislation and our desire to ensure that there is still some accountability on the manner of expenditures. As Minister, I am still responsible for over all expenditures. It is my intention and Cabinet's intention to try to move the responsibility along as far as possible. That is the first step and I have indicated this to the trustees when they met in February.