Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Members of the Special Committee on Western Identity, I am pleased to present the report of the committee.
Division of the Northwest Territories into two new jurisdictions require many changes to take place. Legally, politically and socially. One area identified for review was that of the official symbols which includes, among others, the flag, the mace and the coat of arms.
Symbols such as these have always been important to the public they represent. A great deal of ownership and pride is placed on these images, images that are seen as a reflection to the world. It was, therefore, important to Members of the Legislative Assembly to ensure that the official symbols of the new western territory be truly representative of the new geographical region and its people. They must reflect the identity of the people and the land, an identity that would truly be worth celebrating. To that end, the Special Committee on Western Identity was established on June 4, 1998 to consider and make recommendations on officials symbols and celebrations for the Northwest Territories.
Each of the five committee Members had a keen and genuine interest in how the people of the new NWT would consider their new identity and were honoured to accept a position on the committee that would help to define and reflect that reality. A coordinator was hired to handle administrative affairs and ensure the business of the committee proceeded as directed. One of the main tasks of the committee was to review the current official symbols and heraldry of the Northwest Territories. Members needed to determine if the symbols were appropriate for the new territory or whether they should be revised or completely changed.
Designs for a new flag and coat of arms were deemed appropriate by the committee as well. It was crucial to the Members that the people of the NWT have an opportunity to communicate their thoughts on these symbols. A nation-wide competition for designs was initiated, which resulted in 250 submissions for ideas for the new flag and the new coat of arms. The committee is pleased to have selected three designs for each symbol and due to time limitations, has recommended that the work of the committee in this area be passed onto another committee of the 14th Legislative Assembly to carry on with the final selection process.
The final official symbol under consideration by the committee was a mace. The Northwest Territories needed a new mace that would reflect the new territory. A call for proposals was awarded to three artists well known in the North. The mace is due to be completed by the end of October and the committee recommends that it be unveiled at the beginning of the 14th Legislative Assembly in the new year.
To develop an awareness of 1999 as a special year of change and new direction for the territory, the committee developed a visual identity program with an event name and logo, "NWT '99, Catch the Spirit". A line of promotional items featuring the festive and colourful logo was developed and distributed at a wide variety of events in the NWT, Canada and overseas.
The NWT '99 spirit set the stage for western identity celebration activities which was another mandate of the committee. It became apparent to the Members that the most appropriate way to celebrate the life of each community, would be in each community. It also seemed appropriate that each community should decide how and when during the year they would like to celebrate their identity in the new territory.
A one-time grant of $5,000 was made available to every community in the Northwest Territories for events or projects which reflected our new western identity. Those events were posted on the NWT 99 web site calendar and communities are welcome to post photos of their events afterwards.
While official symbols may depict the land and the people, a true western identity in the hearts of the people is not something that happens over night. The new NWT is on a road to a new future and it is this future, "of one land, many voices," that will create new identity.
Mr. Speaker, that concludes my overview of the report of the Special Committee on Western Identity and I move, seconded by the Honourable Member from Nunakput, that the report be received by the Assembly and referred to committee of the whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.