Tommy Enuaraq Baffin Central

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ..."We cannot abandon support to those most in need." The monthly supplement from the NWT government is paid to people on the old-age pension who get the guaranteed income supplement or whose husband or wife has died. These are the less well off of our senior citizens in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, I suggest that we should carefully review the adequacy of the territorial seniors' supplement. By my calculations, if we were to keep up with the cost of living increases in Yellowknife alone, which have been seven per cent since the supplement was last reviewed, the monthly supplement should be increased by about $10 a month, to $145.

Mr. Speaker, I know we are facing reductions in our spending in the coming year; however, as the Premier stated in his address on the Agenda for Change last week in this Assembly: "poor social conditions mean hardship for a lot of people in the Northwest Territories." Although it will not be easy for us to do, Mr. Speaker, as I well know, as our Premier said in his address last week: "We must improve social conditions." Mr. Speaker, I suggest we start by looking at the monthly pension supplement for the most valued and respected members of our society: our senior citizens, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

An Hon. Member

Hear! Hear!

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Enuaraq. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Picco.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Society for the recent opening of the expansion to the museum. which I had the pleasure of attending.

Iqaluit is more fortunate than most communities in the Northwest Territories. We have had an active museum society in our community for over 25 years, which has been driven by the strong efforts of volunteers.

The Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum Society was formed in 1969 by a group of local residents, including Joanasie Salamonie, Anne Mikijuk Hanson, Gordon Rennie and Tom and Helen Webster, who were committed to the preservation and enhancement of Inuit cultural artifacts. The society was formed in direct response to a donation of Inuit sculptures and artifacts from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. The collection was initially kept in storage for lack of facility and funds.

However, in 1970, when Queen Elizabeth visited Iqaluit, the society installed an exhibition in the new library building, which was then still empty. That was a great success and from that point on, volunteers made continuing efforts to secure a building and, in the meantime, exhibits were displayed in spaces around town.

In 1976, the Northern Heritage Centre was being built. Arguing that a secure storage space was required to protect the collection, some government personnel threatened to take the collection to an exhibit in the new facility in Yellowknife.

The Iqaluit museum society's collection remained in Iqaluit, however, due to fortuitous circumstances. In 1976, the Iqaluit liquor store was closed to over-the-counter sales by public petition. As a result, the liquor store space became available to house and protect the collection.

At this time, with help from the Northern Heritage Centre's professional staff, the museum's collection was catalogued by volunteers, as the exhibits were installed in the new facility. Visits from school children and tourists were also arranged by volunteers from the community.

Mr. Speaker, the collection has always received proper care from the staff at the museum. Standard museum practices are maintained. The local society has worked extremely hard for over 25 years to ensure that the operation of the museum is funded and the exhibits, programs and research is always continuing.

I would like to congratulate the many volunteers in Iqaluit who have made the museum a success over the years. I congratulate long-time employee, Jimmy Ekho, and Iqaluit elders who continue the tradition of active participation with the museum society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Picco. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. O'Brien.

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, the hunters and trappers in the Kivallivik region were very disappointed that the government had eliminated the subsidy previously paid for wolf pelts.

As we all know, wolf harvesting is hardly a multi-million dollar industry in our region at the best of times. This decision caused great concern for my communities. As a result, I have had several subsequent discussions with Minister Kakfwi concerning this matter on behalf of my constituents.

Today, Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to confirm that Minister Kakfwi advised me that his department will be providing a supplementary payment to wolf harvesters for the 1995-96 season.

Edward Picco Iqaluit

Hear! Hear!

Kevin O'Brien Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Picco.

--- Laughter

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Renewable Resources will also be conducting a full review and evaluation of the industry when the trapping season ends this year.

In addition, the Minister's department is planning a series of community workshops on wolf-pelt preparation in the Keewatin region this fall. Mr. Speaker, during these days when cutbacks and limited resources are foremost in everyone's mind, it is refreshing to my constituents in Arviat and Baker Lake to hear such encouraging news.

Minister Kakfwi is to be congratulated, first, for listening to the very real concerns expressed by the hunters and, second, for approaching this matter with a degree of optimism. Mr. Speaker, the Minister's approach to this matter reminded me of the definition of an optimist. An optimist is a person who is treed by a bear and enjoys the view.

So on behalf of the harvesters, I would like to thank the honourable Minister for being able to keep the relatively little guys like hunters and trappers in his range of vision as he views the general direction of his departments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Matna. Mahsi cho.

--- Applause

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Item 3, Members' statements. Mr. Steen.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Member for Nunakput is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Are there any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Steen, conclude your statement.

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Item 3, Members' statements. Mrs. Groenewegen.