Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to make my Member's statement and focus it around the issue of literacy in the family.

Mr. Speaker, there are three components that I wish to touch on, literacy, language and culture. They are part of the whole, a trinity that is linked inextricably.

Mr. Speaker, the underpinning to any success in maintaining and having a flourishing language, culture and strong levels of literacy is the family. Mr. Speaker, this issue is important to all families. We have eight official languages, we have eight cultures. We have language communities that cover the whole Northwest Territories.

My colleague, Mr. Dent, has talked about the issue of a linked strategy for languages and literacy. The underpinning for this has to be the family. As we look at literacy, language and culture, we have to keep in mind, Mr. Speaker, that the aboriginal languages are in dire straits. Some are borderline extinction, and many are considered to be endangered.

The Government of the NWT has funding for aboriginal languages. Unfortunately it is based only on the number of registered aboriginal and Inuvialuit. Where are the Metis and their families as we look at language, literacy and culture?

As I have indicated, families are the foundations for our society. In promoting literacy, language and culture in the family, all should be considered fairly. Thank you.

-- Applause