Mr. Speaker, tomorrow history will be marked in the Northwest Territories. On January 25, 1997, the first graduates from the Aurora College Nursing Program will receive their diplomas. What started out as a dream in the early 1970s, has become a reality. We now have northerners who have been able to receive a quality nursing education program right here in the Northwest Territories.
The Department of Health and Social Services is proud to have been a partner with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Aurora College and the Northwest Territories Registered Nurses' Association in this program's development.
These nursing graduates began their first year of academic preparation in 1993 through the Nursing Access Program. They have studied diligently through two additional years of nursing education and have completed a four-month senior practicum in an acute care hospital in the Northwest Territories.
Most recently, on January 22, they wrote the national standardized exams of the Canadian Nurses Association Testing Service. Successful completion of these exams will qualify them to be licensed as registered nurses.
Developing a northern workforce continues to be a priority of this government. With the graduation of these 11 northerners, we move one step closer to that goal. It is the beginning of a northern registered nurses workforce that reflects the population it serves - Northerners caring for Northerners.
The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to helping NWT nursing graduates become integrated into the workforce. To that end, a Nurse Mentorship Program has been developed and is ready to be launched with this graduating class.
The Nurse Mentorship Program will provide an opportunity for new NWT nurse graduates to gain important work experience under the guidance of an experienced nurse acting as their mentor. It is a unique way for nurses to help nurses.
I would like to recognize the first graduates of the Aurora College Nursing Program: from Yellowknife: Ms Lisa Bossert, Ms Maggie Jacobs, Ms Deana Kobasiuk, Ms Lester Maw, Ms Jennifer Menzies and Ms Jennifer Tweed; from Inuvik, Ms Karin Binder; from Iqaluit, Ms Jean Furtan and Ms Cate Lauzon; from Fort Smith, Ms Dawn Lappin; and from Cambridge Bay, Ms Kim Quilluniq.
On behalf of all my honourable colleagues, I would like to salute the Class of 1996 and wish them well in making the transition from student to registered nurse. Congratulations! Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause