Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize a very significant milestone in the field of education in the Northwest Territories. Today, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Aurora College Teacher Education Program.
In 1969 a program that began as an experiment graduated its first northern-trained teachers. That group of graduates, along with those who followed, have gone on to make significant contributions to the development of northern children and to the Northwest Territories in general. In fact, some current Members of the Legislative Assembly trace their professional education to the Teacher Education Program. Early graduates also make their contribution in senior government positions both in Nunavut and the West.
Almost 400 teachers have graduated from this program. This year, in four of our regions, the teaching staff is over 35 percent aboriginal. Other regions continue to make good progress toward having their teaching staff reflect their student population.
Over the years, TEP graduates have become instruments of change in the education system by making northern schools more relevant for their students. This year, 18 instructors at Aurora College and Nunavut Arctic College are graduates of the Teacher Education Program.
This program, which began as the dream of several respected northern educators, has made it possible to bring about a more northern system. Graduates are teaching children in their own language in many communities, and have developed northern curricula. Graduates are taking their places as school and divisional education council administrators. They are all making a difference and giving back to their communities.
Mr. Speaker, children look up to their teachers. More and more, they see community members at the front of the classroom. More northern children aspire to teaching and other professions as career choices because of these role models.
The western Teacher Education Program served the entire Northwest Territories until 1979 when the Nunavut program was first established. Both programs expanded their delivery to community-based programs in the early 1990s to make teacher training more accessible. The university partners - the University of Saskatchewan in the west and McGill in Nunavut continue to provide integrity to the credentials of each graduate.
Mr. Speaker, as we look ahead to the division of the Northwest Territories, I am confident that both colleges will continue to build on the collective experience of 30 years of teacher education. This is evident in the fact that new programs will start up in Yellowknife and the Kitikmeot in the fall of this year.
I would like to recognize the dedication of teacher education instructors, both past and present, whose contributions have not gone unnoticed. Their former students still remember them fondly for their example and their demand for excellence.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to invite all the Members to join me this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. in the Great Hall, for a reception to honour four of the original graduates from the "Class of 69" who are still involved in education in the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.