Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Zoe on October 13, 1994.

The department continues to support involvement and participation from the NWT in the North American Indigenous Games. These games are held every second year, in 1993 in Prince Alberta, Saskatchewan and in 1995 to be held in Bemidji, Minnesota.

Previous support for the North American Indigenous Games has been, as Mr. Zoe noted, on an ad hoc basis as our resources allowed. The department assisted 50 athletes and officials from Rae-Edzo to attend the games in Prince Albert. I would like to see a more formal program approach to our support for these games and continue to support the ministerial initiative developed by the former Minister.

The department has discussed this matter with several teachers for the Dogrib Divisional Board of Education and advised them that we are continuing to try and establish a proper program to assist our participation in these games. Discussion on specific support for possible participants is premature, however, until we make further progress on a program for assistance. Any interpretation that we will not support participation in the games is mistaken, and unfortunate; it is that we simply do not yet know the scope and nature of our involvement.

I would, again, confirm that I support our involvement in the 1995 North American Indigenous Games and will give priority to establishing a program of support in time for proper preparation for the 1995 games. Thank you.