Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One of the other recommendations that was made last year, the last one, number 30, deals with the GNWT to assist non-governmental organizations and groups with developing and delivering services and programs to the public in official languages, both by assisting them with planning, interpreting, translating and such services, ensuring that all available funding is allocated for such community projects. The point I would like to emphasize is "all available funding." This one here is quite important to me because I speak my own language and I associate with other groups other than the Legislative Assembly in meetings in the Deh Cho Tribal Council meetings. Any time there is a gathering of aboriginal groups, we have elders who don't speak English very well, and they have to be full participants in all discussions. Therefore, there is a need for interpreting and translating. Many times, the meetings are regarded as very important, so these meetings are done in spite of the costs. In many cases, there are cost overruns in dealing with interpretation and translation. I know this is a fact.
When the Languages Commissioner reports that there are large sums of funds unexpended and have been returned to the federal government by the government, I know that organizations such as the Dene Nation have requested the government for funding to help them in their meetings and assemblies. Much of it, in cases of interpretation and translation, is refused. Then, we are told that the government has turned back huge sums of money, although the native groups are told that there is no money. That causes me much concern, whether this government is really committed as much as they say they are to helping aboriginal languages.
When this Language Act was first passed, it was a major support to aboriginal people in the north. Everyone who I am familiar with was very pleased with the fact that this government has recognized aboriginal languages as official languages. I think it is a great thing we have done to preserve our language. However, when funds are requested...For instance, I know that the Dene Cultural Institute is requesting funding to help further develop the Dene languages. They are still struggling and still looking for funds to help them do that. I know the government is spending much money with their own language bureau in translating policies and regulations. At the same time, the Dene language is a thorough language. Our language has helped our elders. Every year, our elders are passing on and we are losing it. Almost every day, we are losing this. At the same time, funds are turned back to the federal government. The majority of the money is focused on the application of the act in terms of interpreting policies and regulations. The focus is not on preserving the language. The focus seems to be on abiding by the act according to the regulations by interpreting the policies and regulations. The focus is not on capturing the oral history that we are losing every day. I would like to ask you a question about that recommendation, and about my comments are with regard to government assisting non-government organizations and groups. What is the intent of that in your recommendation? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.