Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker today you have heard from two of my colleagues on the challenge which affects people across the North. I, too, will speak about fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.

Many groups across the North are beginning to address this problem through support to parents and those wanting to stop drinking during their pregnancies.

Some specific groups which have made contributions are: the Canadian Public Health, the FAS Project, The Status of Women and Native Womens' Associations among others.

If we are to address the problem FAS/FAE but with no new money, we must learn to work in creative ways. Early intervention is good. But if we take statistics of $1.4 million to care for each FAS/FAE person in their lifetime, we cannot afford to just make things better. We have to work to make things better. We have to work to prevent problems.

Government cannot fix the problem. Each community must take the responsibility for how they wish to handle it. Since FAS/FAE is 100% preventable, helping women to stay alcohol free during pregnancy is a community issue. And, remember, helping has neither male nor female gender.

When the statement, "It takes a community to raise a child", once again becomes a reality then the support will be there and our communities will begin to heal.

Members will find in front of them, an information package about FAS/FAE and also a strip of caribou hide, which is the symbol for fetal alcohol syndrome awareness. Caribou was picked because it is available in every community in the Northwest Territories and I encourage all MLAs to wear the symbol to promote discussion.

The knot represents the problem of FAS/FAE which is choking our communities. Taking responsibility for finding solutions will loosen the knot and progress to eliminating this tragedy will start.

I encourage others to adopt this symbol and promote it within their community.

Our goal for the future has to be healthy babies.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.