Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, people in the communities across the Northwest Territories have been dealing with fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effect for many years now.

Over the past ten years, parents and teachers, social workers, alcohol and drug counsellors, community leaders, chiefs, Metis presidents and caregivers in Fort Simpson and other Nahendeh communities have met on several occasions to share information about this problem. They have also found some ways to work together to try to deal with situations which impact on the lives of so many families that are affected.

Mr. Speaker, many of these stakeholders are currently meeting in Fort Simpson. There is a week-long workshop on FAS/FAE. The Fort Simpson Friendship Centre planned and is coordinating this timely workshop with funding support from Health Canada. I understand that over 30 community representatives are participating in this workshop.

This three-day workshop provides an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, current information on prevention, treatment and the support of victims of FAS/FAE, their families and their communities. Mr. Paul McKenzie, a former police officer, and Mrs. Dillon MacGuire, coordinator of the FAS program at the Micmac Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, are there to participate and share perspectives on current techniques used to deal with the affected persons.

Mr. Speaker, today they will participate in the regional youth workshop and discuss the topic of FAS/FAE with students at the local schools. This evening they will meet with teachers to discuss how to best support the affected students and families, and discuss education and awareness strategies.

I applaud the continuing efforts of the individuals and organizations who make efforts to deal with the problem of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effect in my communities. I wish to acknowledge the work and dedication of the counsellors across the Northwest Territories...