Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Krutko, and it is in regards to aboriginal language and cultural specialists in Aklavik.

In addition to teachers, there are three categories of staff who may be employed in schools to work with students. First, there are aboriginal language and cultural specialists who are covered by the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association collective agreement. Specialists must be certified at the time of hire and are required to take ongoing training. These employees are considered teachers under the Education Act and are certified to provide an education program in an aboriginal language.

Second, there are classroom assistants who are covered by the Union of Northern Workers Collective Agreement. Under the Education Act these employees must work under the direction of a teacher.

Third, the district education authority can hire people to instruct local programs as allowed for under section 118 (k.1) of the Education Act. These people are hired on short-term arrangements through the DEA and are not covered by the NWTTA or the UNW contract. The type of compensation available to any staff members depends on which category they were hired under and the type of work they are doing.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment contacted the Beaufort Delta Divisional Education Council in May about the situation in Aklavik. This is an issue to be resolved between the Divisional Education Council and the District Education Authority. The department commits to raising the issue with the Divisional Education Council and ensuring it is resolved before the beginning of the school year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.