Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Education, Culture and Employment has set a goal that by the year 2000, 50 percent of the teachers in Nunavut and the new western territory will be aboriginal. The department, the public colleges, the divisional education councils and the two Yellowknife district education authorities have been working together to reach this goal through community-based Teacher Education Programs. As well, campus-based Teacher Education Programs are offered by the colleges.

Teacher Education Program graduates first receive a diploma in teaching, after which many choose to continue their studies in a Bachelor of Education program. Students with Aurora College transfer to the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, while students at Nunavut Arctic College can work towards a McGill Bachelor of Education in Iqaluit or Montreal.

I am pleased to announce that a number of northern teacher education students have graduated from Bachelor of Education programs this year. In April, six students received their McGill Bachelor of Education degrees at the Nunavut Arctic College convocation in Iqaluit. They are Leesie Akulukjuk, Mary Alikatuktuk and Marlene Angnakak all of Pangnirtung; Nute Arnauyuymayuq of Arctic Bay, Lyn Kennedy of Iqaluit and Maggie Kunilusie of Broughton Island.

In May, seven students from the western Arctic graduated from the Indian Teacher Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan. They are Phoebe Allaire, Ruby Blake, Mary Grundy, Beverly Hardisty, Sheila Hilliard, Lorna Masazumi and Tammy Steinwand. I would like to note that Ms. Grundy and Ms. Steinwand both graduate with Great Distinction, and they were the only two students in the entire class to achieve this honour. Ms. Grundy is a graduate of the Teacher Education Program in Fort Smith, while Ms. Steinwand is a graduate of the Dogrib Community Teacher Education Program.

Well-trained, well-qualified teachers are essential to providing quality education to NWT students. Teachers who are born and raised in the north have a particular advantage because they share the language and culture of their community and the students they teach. The NWT Teacher Education Programs are providing northern teacher trainees with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed with university studies and to succeed as competent and highly-skilled classroom teachers.

-- Applause