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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a resident of Grise Fiord, Mr. Seeglook Akeeagok. He is the renewable resource officer in Grise Fiord who will be attending the conference on Peary caribou in Yellowknife this week.

--Applause

Welcome to the Assembly. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I just mentioned in my Member's statement, I have some questions concerning the artifacts, carvings and such, in the legislative building. Would the Premier, be able to let me know what process is in place to identify and catalogue those artifacts to see if, indeed, some of that property which is owned presently by all the people of the Northwest Territories could be transferred to Nunavut? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that the vast majority of the art, wall hangings and the things which decorate the Legislative Assembly were gifts to the people of the Northwest Territories and kept in this building on behalf of the people of the Northwest Territories. Other than the fish in the Caucus room, is mine. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, several times when I have had an opportunity to take people around the Legislative Assembly, they have remarked at the carvings and the wall hangings. For example, when you come into the building the caribou there is quite unique. They have been gifts to this government. I understand that some of the carvings and wall hangings that are presently in this building, Mr. Speaker, were actually bought by this government. They came from the Executive Collection. Has the Premier looked at some type of protocol arrangement or if those carvings, wall hangings and art work, could be transferred to Nunavut on a permanent basis? Is there some type of mechanism in place where they could be transferred to Nunavut, so the residents of Nunavut could have an opportunity to appreciate that art? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. All residents, all of the people in the Northwest Territories, when they have the opportunity to visit the Legislative Assembly, have the opportunity of seeing all the art work in the Legislative Assembly. Like I said earlier, it is kept in this building for all people of the Northwest Territories. All the paintings and art are numbered by the Northwest Territories government. It is all kept track of. This is how it is kept. As far as the Member's concern on whether or not all that stuff could be transferred to Nunavut, I will raise that issue with the Speaker, who is in charge of this building, and I will let the Member know what he says. Thank you.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Picco.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier can keep his fish that does not need to be included on the list. Mr. Speaker, after division, many residents of Nunavut will not have the opportunity to come to Yellowknife because there will not be any reason to come here. Even on a borrowing or lending basis, would be opportune to give the residents a chance to share in the unique artwork of previous generations. My supplemental question, Mr. Speaker, concerns the Mace. Is there a process in place, with the present Mace as an example, where it could be retired? Is there any type of protocol with the current Mace which was largely constructed in Nunavut? The last time it was in Iqaluit was this past spring, we heard that it was priceless. Is there any type of process in place for that? I think Mr. Morin is really ready to answer this question. I will give him an opportunity. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are two Maces. The original, I believe, is held in the museum as well as the Mace that is here. It does represent all the people of the Northwest Territories. It is a Mace that is made and it has parts from the Western Arctic, parts from Nunavut, so that it does represent all the people of the Northwest Territories. There is no doubt in my mind that April 1, 1999, there will not be a border put up between Nunavut and the Western Arctic where we do not share and work together.

Hear! Hear!

We have a long standing understanding. We have an ability to work together. We prove that in this House daily, Mr. Speaker, all Members working together. We have close relationships with the Nunavut people and I believe that will just continue after April 1, 1999. We will continue to have a close working relationship with them. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Krutko.

The Premier. Two questions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be pleased to take that up with the Minister responsible for Income Support that there is an issue the Member has raised on the appeals process and Income Support. I would not direct any department to do anything at this time, but I will talk to the Minister. This is how we will handle this issue that the Member raises.

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Krutko.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do have people in our communities who are income support workers that work very hard and I commend them for the work they do. Possibly, we can work with our communities in partnership as to what would be the best approach on how to make sure the clients all know what options are available and open to them. We will work in partnership with the communities. Thank you.