Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, each day that I speak in this House, I choose to speak my own Tlicho language. I do this, Mr. Speaker, because I'm proud of my culture and language.

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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be Tlicho, and that my children are, as well. I am hoping that they will be saying the same thing down the road, that they are proud of their culture and their language, that they are proud to be Tlicho.

Mr. Speaker, although I am fluent in Tlicho, regrettably, I am not literate. I cannot read or write in my own language. This is a problem, Mr. Speaker. As you know, many of the official languages in the Northwest Territories are struggling. All of these languages have a desire to be strengthened. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has produced a number of documents supporting aboriginal language and culture-based programs, Mr. Speaker. One of them is People - Our Focus for the Future. Objective number one reads, "to improve support to communities to achieve their cultural heritage and language goals." This statement identifies language culture-based education as the highest ECE priority, Mr. Speaker.

The communities consulted during the review and update of ECE's strategic plan, in 2000, again reinforced the importance of having aboriginal language and cultures in early childhood in schools and in Aurora College learning centres, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, recognizing the need to increase our human resource base, the department also supports the ACEP program, the Aboriginal Language and Cultural Instructor Program, Mr. Speaker. I am proud to say that the Tlicho language is offered to all students in the Tlicho region, as well as one school in Yellowknife.

Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

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