Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

I am not sure of the question, Mr. Speaker. I wonder if I could seek clarification from the Member?

Mr. McLeod, would you be able to clarify that question?

Mr. Speaker, my question to the Minister was asking if he would consider reviewing the program and costing out what it would take to include all the seniors in the Northwest Territories under this program.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Minister Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We would have to take into consideration other programs that we have in place. We can certainly have a look at it, Mr. Speaker, but I do not know what kind of time frame could be supplied. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Final supplementary, Mr. McLeod.

Thank you. I take that as a commitment, and I would like to ask if there would be any kind of time frame that we would be looking at for a review. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. This is a bit of a confusing question because I think that is what the Minister wondered about as well. Mr. Minister, you may answer if you choose.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we would have to see what kind of workload this entails. I cannot make a commitment on the time frame. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of programs that the department runs that contain aboriginal language content and aboriginal culture matters. For example, we have Dene Kede, which is taught up to grade 6 and will be expanded to include grades 7, 8, and 9. As well, we have Inuuqatigiit, which is a similar program.

The teaching and learning centres are continually working on material and resources that could be used for aboriginal languages, could be used for aboriginal content. There are a variety of these. In addition, the Western Canadian Protocol, the aboriginal language area is being headed by the territorial government to include aboriginal culture in the social studies framework. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a variety of programs that communities and schools and districts can choose from in the curriculum. Northern studies program is one, for example, and Dene Kede, as I mentioned. These are available. Also, schools can choose to provide first language in the aboriginal language if they so choose. So it is partially up to the community in consultation, of course, with the district education councils. A lot of authority is passed on at the community level in that respect. We do feel that the programs are consistent across the board. The curriculum is standard. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Ootes. Supplementary, Mr. Nitah.

Thank you, Mr. Nitah. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Ootes.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member has a very good point. What is taught in terms of North American aboriginal history within our system? That is one that I have already spoken to the department about to ensure that they start addressing these issues and bring it forward to the teaching and learning centres, as well as to the district education councils. I meet on a semi-annual basis with the chairs, so this could be a subject of discussion again in that respect. I appreciate the Member's concern. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Mr. Nitah.