Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is regarding the two new sites that were designated by the federal Minister of Heritage. These historical sites are located in Arviat and Baker Lake. Just to give you some background on these two sites, Century Island and the Fall Caribou Crossing on the Kassan River were designated nationally significant to Canadian history by the Minister of Canadian Heritage in August 1995. This designation follows four years' of consultations with the communities of Arviat and Baker Lake. The hamlet councils and various groups in Baker Lake and Arviat were also consulted in October 1995 and planning committees were recommended for both communities. The first meeting was held in Arviat on November 15, 1995. The training committee will meet once a month until the plan is completed.

Century Island is located approximately .5 kilometres from Arviat, and has evidence of many centuries of Inuit use and occupation. The island continues to be used by the people of Arviat and continues to be a very special place.

The Fall Caribou Crossing is located on the lower Kassan River and is a well-known example of the important fall

caribou crossing hunt which sustained Inuit in the region in the past.

Two years of historical and archaeological research were directed by the Baker Lake Elders' Advisory Committee and the Arviat Historical Society, respectively. The research was presented to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in July 1995. The board recommended to the Minster of Canadian Heritage that the sites be designated nationally significant. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board also recommended that Parks Canada staff return to the communities to consult and help commemorate these sites in a meaningful way. Plans will be developed from a community-based perspective. The training process will consider other related heritage projects engaged in by the communities from time to time.

Mr. Speaker, special thanks to Mr. Darren Keith, the Inuit historic site specialist; Mr. David Webster, consultant; Luke Suluk and the Arviat Historical Society; and, the Baker Lake Elders' Advisory Committee for their hard work on this particular project.

Also, Mr. Speaker, since this is our last session of the year, I would like to wish all my colleagues and the staff here at the Assembly a very happy and safe Christmas, and also a special greeting to the residents of Arviat and Baker Lake, especially the children and elders of the communities. Thank you, matna, mahsi cho.

---Applause