Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to make some very brief comments here. I also would like to give a big nod to the Member for Sahtu for taking the initiative to bring this motion forward.
There is a really key role for elders to play in our schools. I think the Aboriginal achievement programs will recognize that very early on. You don’t have to look beyond the K’alemi Dene School right in Ndilo to see an example with Mrs. Fwasi, 70 years old this year, been in the school for a decade, and there’s a record of achievement there. K’alemi Dene graduated their first grade 12 students this year.
The simple presence of our elders in our community schools brings a security and a learning environment to the students that allows them to click in and start learning not just the languages and cultural benefits they get, which are added dimensions, but it allows them to develop the learning habits with the support of the elders that can lead to academic achievements as well. As the Tlicho have said, a foot in both worlds, the strength of two cultures.
Let’s get our elders in the school. I look forward to all our colleagues supporting this motion.