Merci, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Members are no doubt aware, this week we are celebrating Education Week in the Northwest Territories. The purpose of Education Week is to increase the public's understanding of the importance of education, and to highlight the work of education bodies and schools in providing high-quality education for NWT students. To stress the important link between the education system and the community, this year's theme is Education - A Community Partnership.
Today, I want to highlight a few of the many Education Week activities taking place across the Territories.
Moose Kerr School in Aklavik has a full schedule of events planned. Students have invited the community to a fish bake and will hold drum dance demonstrations throughout the week. One class has made placemats on the value of education, and donated them to a local cafe.
To help people in Inuvik understand the links between the community and the education system, activities have included a scavenger hunt that took participants to the offices of nine organizations which are partners in education.
There are many activities in the Sahtu region also, including a science fair at Chief T'Selihye School in Fort Good Hope, parent and child sessions at the Computer Club at Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita, a speech about the importance of staying in school by a representative of the Department of National Defence in Norman Wells, photo day for students and families at Colville Lake School, and a radio phone-in program on education partnerships in Deline.
The Chief Sunrise Education Centre on the Hay River Reserve and Joseph Burr Tyrrell School in Fort Smith are focusing on reading throughout this week. The principal of Deninoo School in Fort Resolution will give a public presentation on empowering the community in education.
Students in Arviat have a number of assignments planned that encourage them to think about things they learn at home and in the community.
Mr. Speaker, the whole community is a place of learning. People in the communities are the ones who should create a vision for learning and make decisions about it. Education Week is an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about education programs in their community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.