The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, can the Minister responsible for MACA confirm if his department has or is considering funding the Kole Crook Fiddle Association proposal to host a fiddle jamboree in his home community coming this January in Fort Simpson? Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Minister of MACA.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you. I'm going to embarrass the a Member a bit here. I'd like to thank him very much for his advocacy for the youth, especially when it comes to something as important as recreation opportunities for our youth. He's been very good at getting across the message, whether it's with his riding or other ridings, so I'd like to thank him for that.

What I can do is I can confirm the department is working closely with the Kole Crook Fiddle Association to support their upcoming fiddle jamboree in January and MACA and Kole Crook Fiddle Association has entered into a one-year funding agreement to support the fiddle jamboree this year. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, this is a little more personal I guess. Will the Minister let us know how proficient he is in the art of playing the fiddle and if he will be taking part in the fiddle jamboree? Thank you.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, and I thank the Member for that. I'm really good at TV control, the stereo. I can play the fiddle perfectly that way. I can actually find it on YouTube. I started out very young trying the fiddle, and I was told to go play sports. So I enjoy it. I enjoy the fiddle, but yeah, that's all I can say. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, will the Minister confirm if his department is aware of all the excellent work the Kole Crook Fiddle Association provides to youth throughout the NWT, which includes

• Fiddling music lessons for children and youth of all ages;
• Having young advanced fiddlers teach the beginners;
• Lending and gifting instruments to those that may not be able to afford them;
• Conducting work shops in communities throughout the NWT; and,
• Providing students an opportunity to participate in music and music festival and events.

Thank you.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, I get to proudly say I was part of the first Kole Crook Fiddle organization when one of the cofounders, Lewis Beck, reached out to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and said hey, I got this great idea, we'd like to recognize Kole Crook for all his great work and this is what we're trying to do. So the Member explained perfectly what the Kole Crook Fiddle Association does. But I think the most important thing it's the love that they're able to provide our youth. This has made a huge impact on a number of youth across the Northwest Territories. So I can again say that the department is well aware of the work that this organization is doing, and we're very happy to be coworkers working with them moving forward. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Final supplementary. Member for Hay River South.

Rocky Simpson Hay River South

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Kole Crook Fiddle Association is committed to teaching not only youth but people of all ages the art of playing the fiddle and other musical instruments. It is important that this government support not only sports but the arts as well.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, will the Minister commit to considering a proposal from the Kole Crook Fiddle Association for a three-year funding agreement that would provide longevity and support for the excellent work they do for our youth in the NWT? Thank you.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, again, it just reverts to the first question. When the Member reached out to me, we had a conversation and we looked at their one-year proposal. And one of the things we talked about was we need to expand it. We can expand it for up to three years. So I guess I can commit to a new multi-three-year agreement with the Kole Crook Fiddle Association on top of the one year we already got right now. The association submitted a proposal. We're going back and forth to fix up the second and third year again. So again, I would like to confirm that we are working on a multiyear agreement with them. And, again, I thank the Member for keeping us on our toes and advocating for this organization moving forward. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Monfwi.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Minister for Infrastructure.