I am assuming this might be where the programs such as Aboriginal Head Start might come under. I may assume that some of that program might go directly to the programs themselves or through GNWT, but following up on what the Member for Monfwi said earlier and something that has been raised before, and that is the possibility of the Aboriginal Head Start Program being on the chopping block. I understand that the GNWT has had to step in to make up for some of the losses especially on literacy funding and MACA has put in some money for volunteers, but I think with the Aboriginal Head Start Program, it's a long-term program. It's been in existence for 10 years and it has shown positive results in our communities. There is a program in Yellowknife as well, I think in Ndilo, that has shown a lot of success. I am not hearing a lot of discussions nationally about how to save this program and I think it's not a straightforward process when you look at the federal budget. Sometimes these programs are housed in a bigger program with a bigger pot. I want to give the federal government the benefit of the doubt that they may not have the whole picture of what it means to cut some of these programs. I would like to know if the Minister is willing to do some...Where is it at the bigger table at the national level? Is there any attempt on the part of Education Ministers across the country or at the Premier level to see if we can save this program? It may be that because our jurisdiction has 50 percent of its population who are aboriginal and because it's making such a direct impact and positive impact at our community level, it may not stand out in the whole national scheme of things. We should push ourselves as an example of how this program has really worked to set the foundation for our children before they get started. I would like to get started with the regular programming. I guess that's what I mean.
When we were in Fort Simpson last week for the NWT games, I had a chance to meet a teacher from Kakisa. She runs an eight student, one-room classroom in Kakisa with one student aid. Even though we are funding full-time kindergarten, she couldn't possibly have a full-time kindergarten because she would need to hire somebody to do that. So I think she will continue to have half-time kindergarten for one student who is in that eight-student program. I think that sort of situation happens in a lot of our communities and the Aboriginal Head Start Program is one that really augments our early childhood education. I think it's so important.
I don't know how much we can take over the responsibility that the federal government gives up on. At one point, we are not going to be able to do that. I would like to hear from the Minister what the national effort is and if there is anything we can do as Members to go with him, to protest, I don't know. I am not hearing anything nationally about saving the Aboriginal Head Start Program. It may be too late if we wait until it's cut. I don't think it's cut yet, but I think there's a worry that it might be on the chopping block. Thank you.
