Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize an initiative in the Fort Simpson constituency of Nahendeh. Nats'enelu, Mr. Speaker.
Nats'enelu is a Dene word that you and I understand, and Steve. It is a word with the concept of sewing and meeting together to sew. It is founded by a non-profit organization, the Nats'enelu Society in the early 70s. It is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Dene-inspired crafts, clothing and lifestyle items. It was incorporated in October of 1997 with the intent to train and implement the considerable skills that numerous local Dene craft people have.
Mr. Speaker, a Montreal-based designer, D'Arcy Moses, has been providing classroom and practical training to local people in Fort Simpson. There is a wide variety of quality products now available. Research and development over the past year has yielded a number of new ideas which are now in the process of being marketed. This ribbon shirt that I am wearing, Mr. Speaker, is an example of one of the new products that is available in Fort Simpson from the Nats'enelu Society.
Concentration now is based in three areas and it is Deh Cho coats, Dene dolls, Dene lifestyle items such as bush articles used by local hunters. There are seven full-time people in the house-production workers, three part-time marketing and support staff and approximately 25 to 30 homeworkers, where they do piecework in their homes. The three Deh Cho communities should provide bead work, tanned hides, crafts and dolls to Nats'enelu on a piecework basis. All staff are very dedicated to this unique enterprise, Mr. Speaker. They recognize the opportunity that Nats'enelu presents for the promotion of traditional Dene skills and economic rewards of owning a business.
The year 1999 will be Nats'enelu's most progressive year yet, Mr. Speaker. Plans for expanding the production facilities, training new staff and aggressive national marketing program will make Nats'enelu poised to enter a new era in creating a positive awareness of Canada's Dene culture. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause