(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to extend my gratitude to the government and our participation as they were recognized in our territories. We are the Inuit and the only aboriginal government within Canada and this is something that we have to be proud of as a government. (Translation ends)

I am very proud to be part of this government which recognizes our aboriginal language as one of the official languages of this government. I am also proud that in June 1984 this act came into force, 11 years ago, and was further amended in 1990. I am also very proud that in our education system our kids who are in the communities -- I'm not sure of those in central locations -- could take our aboriginal languages as courses. That does not happen in many other jurisdictions.

But, I am sad to say that our government officials -- directors, deputy ministers -- who are in the positions of decision-making, do not have direction from this government as to what sorts of services should be available, even though there's an act that would obligate our government to do so. It has been 11 years since the act came into force, yet our government does not have the direction it needs to provide their managers in giving out information and also communicating with the public. I am sad to say that that direction is not here yet. I hope in the near future, as was responded to me yesterday from the Premier, that direction to the managers of this government will be given by the Executive Council.

(Translation) I would like to extend my gratitude to the people who worked hard in sustaining aboriginal languages within the territorial government, as well as within other sections of the government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause