Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. (English not provided)...Mr. Speaker, recognizing the value of elders' knowledge, I would like to talk on the motion.

WHEREAS elders have the highly valued and respected role of passing on the stories, traditions and knowledge of our culture to younger generations;

AND WHEREAS many elders are considered by their people to be experts in traditional knowledge to at least the same extent that individuals with PhD degrees are considered to be experts in their fields;

AND WHEREAS the GNWT and industry have recognized elders' traditional knowledge and expertise by calling on them for advice about the land and animals;

AND WHEREAS elders are frequently called upon by schools, learning centres and government-sponsored conferences and workshops to share their traditional knowledge and are often expected to do so without any payment or for a nominal fee;

AND WHEREAS the payments elders do receive, small as they are, are often clawed back from their pensions so that they effectively receive no compensation at all for their expertise and services;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that the government establish standards for paying elders for their traditional knowledge comparable to fees paid to other expert consultants;

AND FURTHER, that the government implement measures to ensure that payments to elders are not clawed back from their pensions. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.