Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under section 27, with regard to attendance, (3)(b), (c), and also (4), is with regard to being excused by the principal for students to participate in traditional activities on the land and other learning experiences
and also to participate in a spiritual or religious observance recognized by an authority or teachings to which the student adheres; but, mainly to be excused as the principal may direct in order to allow the students to participate in traditional activities on the land.
I take offence to the word "excused," Mr. Chairman, because it's like we're leaving the traditional lifestyles to be subservient to the educational program. As a Dene person, I take offence with that "he may be excuse& type of thing. Maybe traditional pursuits on the land have to be recognized in this act here as something that is very substantial. The education program today doesn't teach our young people how to go out on the land. To be excused to do that makes it sound as if it's something that we need permission for.
I would like to tell the Minister, through you, Mr. Chairman, that if they could find another word for it, I would really appreciate it. When a young person goes out on the land, for example, in my area, a lot of the communities go out on the land in the fall, for the fall moose hunt. They all take off and don't go to school for maybe a week or 10 days. They do learn a lot out on the land; they learn how to put food on the table; they learn how to take care of themselves on the land and this is a very valuable experience for a lot of the young people.
In the wintertime, as well, when they go out on the land, it's a good experience, too, and they learn quite a bit about how to survive out there. I know the intent of this section but I just don't like the words "being excused" to do the things that some elders tell us we need to do more of. So if, through you, Mr. Chairman, the Minister could respond to that, I would appreciate it. Thank you.