Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Like other Dene communities in the Northwest Territories, the Sahtu Dene display great artistic abilities and traditionally created sewn items from tanned hides.
Mr. Speaker, supports for arts in general can be seen throughout the Northwest Territories. The 2014-2015 fiscal year was a very busy one. ITI contributed through the SEED program to the Sahtu and to the NWT Arts registered database seen 84 local artists. Examples of displayed art can be seen at every Sahtu Air terminal building in the region. The art products are unique and attractive.
Mr. Speaker, Northwest Territories Arts Strategy is a joint initiative of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Department of lndustry, Tourism and Investment. This initiative is producing authentic arts and crafts. Examples can be displayed and sold at the Inuvik Great Northern Arts Festival.
Arts and crafts are a vibrant part of our Northwest Territories economy, and advertising our northern image and cultural heritage must be built on. What we have, restructuring through changes to the Western Lottery reviews would only rearrange capital. It should be viewed as maximum program returns and preservation of the unique industry. Later, Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the appropriate Minister. Mahsi.