(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to express my gratitude, coming from Nunavut, that our animals are being protected and the fact that there is being research conducted. I have not received any copies of reports that have been researched. In fact, I know the Inuit have not depleted any of the animals that they hunt. There have been many researches in regards to the wildlife management. So, when the time comes for questioning, I will be asking questions on polar bear research. I know, for a fact, from my childhood, that the polar bears population has changed. In regards to that, I will be directing my question to the appropriate Minister, and I would like a definite answer. The Inuit have never depleted any of the animals that they have used, even though the environment is harsh and all the animals have a tough time living there, they still sustain the hunting environment. Thank you. (Translation ends)

Thank you, Mr. Evaloarjuk. Members' statements. Mr. Erasmus.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to speak today about two communities that I represent that are often overlooked by this government. Those two communities, Mr. Speaker, are Detah and N'dilo, which, along the Members that

live in Yellowknife, make up the Yellowknife Dene First Nation. Mr. Speaker, Detah and N'dilo are often overlooked, partly because they are right beside Yellowknife. It is true there are benefits to this closeness. There are programs and services that are accessible, and which would not normally be available to communities this size. However, Mr. Speaker, there are many disadvantages as well. While the people in those communities have access to the programs and services in the city of Yellowknife, most of them cannot afford them because of their poor education, and therefore, high unemployment rate.

Also, their funding sometimes gets lumped in with the city of Yellowknife, but the city of Yellowknife does not provide services for them. Most people also assume that N'dilo is just part of Yellowknife, rather than a community in its own right. This reduces the ability to recognize and deal with the unique needs of the people in N'dilo and Detah.

For instance, even though many people live in N'dilo and in Detah, primarily the band only receives funding for the people living in Detah, they also have to deal with the housing needs of everybody in the band. Also, when they put on workshops, everybody in the band is allowed to come, similarly with feasts and community events. Funding also seems to disappear. For instance, the recreation dollars that Detah receives is based on their population alone, but the band council has to use that funding for both communities and for all the band members. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

The Member for Yellowknife North is seeking unanimous consent to conclude his statement. Do we have any nays? There are no nays. Mr. Erasmus, you have unanimous consent.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, recreation dollars for N'dilo seem to have disappeared. Maybe the people down there are non-existent or something, because they are not included in the block funding for the city of Yellowknife either. So, if they are not included in Detah and they are not included in Yellowknife, were is the money going for those 250 people that live there?

N'dilo also used to be recognized in the government's capital plan a few years back. Today, it is not even listed. Similarly, N'dilo has not received funding for programs like community justice committees, and they have never had a base funded adult educator, and neither has the community of Detah. Mr. Speaker, it is good to see that some departments recognize N'dilo as a separate entity, because they have received community action funding separately.

Today, the two communities are trying to officially link up into one community, and they would have a population of around 500. There is also another 200-300 people living in Yellowknife because of the limited housing in N'dilo, and people are on waiting lists to build houses in N'dilo. Mr. Speaker, this government needs to recognize when it creates the pools of community funding, that Detah and N'dilo may be beside Yellowknife, but the needs of the people are quite different.

Mr. Speaker, I suggest that this government should not have to wait until Detah and N'dilo are formally amalgamated through the legal process. This government should recognize and treat Detah and N'dilo as one community as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Erasmus. Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mrs. Groenewegen.

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Steen.

Thank you, Mr. Steen. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a gentleman in the gallery who has been a regular visitor here. From Yellowknife, Mr. Bob Galipeau. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery, Mr. O'Brien.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize Mr. and Mrs. Nasgalowak, they are friends of mine whom I met while working in Tuktoyaktuk. Thank you.

-- Applause

Thank you. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Evaloarjuk.

The Minister responsible for Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Evaloarjuk.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask a question to the Minister about employees, especially in our region, in Hall Beach, and also other places. As I stated earlier about such animals or the games are becoming extinct or some animals are coming back to our regions and also presently, we have a worker in our region who is always keeping up to date with the CBC from economic development. We are also aware that in our communities, some polar bears come into our town. We have so many problems with the polar bears in our regions, they become a nuisance. If they are becoming extinct, what is the problem then? (Translation ends)

Thank you. Mr. Kakfwi.

Thank you. Oral questions. Mr. Barnabas.