Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Certainly, the recommendation allows for permissive consultations. If they're interested, we would gladly consult. But I do want to say this: that it is important that when you deal with aboriginal organizations, we have to deal with it in the context of ensuring that those organizations that represent the language groups are the ones consulted. Not just simply the territorial organizations, because there are language centres that are involved in this business, there are agreements -- which I know the honourable Member is aware of -- in three or four instances where there are educational/cultural institutes, including the Dene Cultural Institute, that are involved in this issue of cultural education. We also have language centres which are associated with language groups. So there are organizations that are involved.

But I do want to say this as well: we have teaching and learning centres that are developing program material. I don't want anyone to get the impression that somehow we don't have enough materials out in the regions. I can speak from my own regional experience, the Gwich'in Language Centre; in my view, I'm proud of those people for the amount of work that they've done in developing the language, helping in the development of curriculum. I'm proud of people like Mary Effie Snowshoe and people like Hannah Alexie who used to teach in the McPherson school, and I'm also proud of the teachers we're training today; not only the teachers, but the teachers who are specifically dealing with aboriginal language education. In other words, they're the language specialists.

I have to say that I don't want people to be left with the impression that somehow the department or this government or this Assembly has not done anything positive. We've done a lot of good things, but that doesn't mean we stop here. Our target for the year 2000 of 50 per cent aboriginal teachers, I think helps us address the issues the honourable Member has raised. I know I've had the support of the honourable Member, but we have to maintain always, as the honourable Member has said, certain standards and quality in the programs we offer. Part of that includes the development of materials in conjunction with the aboriginal language groups that are involved. I know the honourable Member has supported that on a number of occasions. Experience has taught us that we've done a good job. Obviously, we have a lot more to do but I think we've done quite a bit. In education, nothing is ever perfect and everything needs to be improved. I take note of the comments of the honourable Member.

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