Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to comment on the need for aboriginal cultural courses in the school system, reinforcing my statement from yesterday, Mr. Speaker.
I believe students should start learning about their culture in the home first and then start in kindergarten all the way up the school system. Perhaps there could be an overall plan to help deliver cultural courses at all grade levels, right up to grade 12, Mr. Speaker.
This could be achieved with community input and participation from organizations such as the Dene Cultural Institute, the Métis Heritage Centre, and the Inuvialuit Education Foundation.
I see some other provinces are way ahead of us, Mr. Speaker. I spoke yesterday about how cultural knowledge can benefit a person's self-esteem, which is linked to how well aboriginal students do in the education system, Mr. Speaker. It is also part of our history as a people and as Canadians. If our collective cultures are to survive, it is critical that our students and other Canadians learn about our history. I suspect they know more about the American Constitution than they know about Treaty 8 and Treaty 11, for example. The rest of Canada can also benefit from learning about our present day life, an understanding of the eco-systems, et cetera. With that, Mr. Speaker, I thank you.
-- Applause