Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Northwest Territories is gifted with artists whose talents reflect our culture and history. As pointed out in the Department of Education, Culture and Employment Arts Strategy, art and artistic endeavours are important from a social, cultural, and economic perspective. The process of expression, and creation and production of art, celebrates, preserves and transmits culture. This appreciation and the benefits of the art is also shared by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, TRC, of Canada.

The TRC believes that artists have a keen, profound contribution to make in expressing both truth and reconciliation. I’d like to bring to the attention of the people and artists in the Northwest Territories that the TRC is inviting artists to submit works that express the truth, the impact and the legacy of the residential school experience.

The TRC is also inviting artists to submit works relating to apology, truth, cultural oppression, cultural genocide, resistance, resilience, spirituality,

remembrance, reconciliation, rejuvenation and restoration of Aboriginal culture and pride. Whether artistic expressions are created in addition to or are a substitute for individual statements given to the TRC, it is an important and meaningful way to express people’s experience and assist with reconciliation.

I would like to inform the artists of the Northwest Territories that have been affected by residential schools about this call for submission, and invite them to consider submitting their artistic expression by the December 31, 2013, deadline. More information can be obtained from the TRC website, www.trc.ca. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.